Assessing the chemical composition, potential toxicity and cancer risk of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) near a petrochemical industrial area

Epigenetic mechanisms of particulate matter exposure: air pollution and hazards on human health

“…In addition to mitochondria, exogenous oxidative sources to which organisms are exposed can become direct oxidants such as pollutants found in the environment that affect the molecular expression of epigenetic factors ( Briones-Martin-Del-Campo et al, 2014 ). Research has shown that PM 2.5 produced by air pollution has a high oxidizing potential ( Wells and Zelcer, 1986 ; Caumo et al, 2023 ; Liu et al, 2023 ). Because PM 2.5 particles are mainly composed of copper, iron, secondary aerosols, and quinones, different studies have shown the oxidative potential of PM 2.5 in lung and cardiac cells, as they increase the levels of reactive oxygen species mainly superoxide anion (O 2 •- ), hydroxyl radical (OH • ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) while decreasing the synthesis and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutases (SOD) ( Lelieveld et al, 2021 ; Lin et al, 2022 ; Zou et al, 2022 ).…”