Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of sidestream cigarette smoke particulate matter of different particle sizes

Abstract

Sidestream cigarette smoke, the major component of environmental tobacco smoke, is a complex and reactive aerosol. The particulate matter (PM) in sidestream smoke is one of the carriers of chemical constituents. However, particle size-dependent toxicological effects of PM are poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the PM size and in vitro cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of sidestream cigarette smoke. A NanoMoudi-II(™) 125A was used to collect PM samples ranging from 10 nm to 10 μm. The in vitro toxicity of PM was evaluated using a neutral red cytotoxicity assay and Salmonella mutagenicity assay. The results showed that the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of PM larger than 1 μm was significantly lower than PM sized 10 nm-1 μm. Furthermore, there was a noticeable trend that the smaller the size of the PM of sidestream cigarette smoke, the greater the toxicity. This study suggests that the toxicity of PM in sidestream cigarette smoke is size-dependent.

Particulate matter emissions of different brands of mentholated cigarettes

“…Similar results were published by Keith and Derrick in 1960, describing that the majority of particles has a size between 0.1 µm and 1 µm. These findings are alarming because smaller particles are more harmful to health (Li et al 2016;Meng et al 2013). Although PM 1 is contained in PM 2.5 , which in turn is contained in PM 10 , according to EPA, it constitutes by far the most significant fraction in both.…”

PM2.5 Induced the Expression of Fibrogenic Mediators via HMGB1-RAGE Signaling in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

“…The mean concentration of n -alkanes in PM2.5 was 18,670.883 μ g/g. The DMSO extracts had a concentration of 164.675 μ g/g [ 11 , 12 ].…”

High particulate matter emission from additive-free Natural American Spirit cigarettes

“…Besides the higher PM emissions, additive-free Natural American Spirit tobacco products also reveal a potential health risk on passive smokers because of the distribution pattern of emitted fine particles. By far the highest part of PM in SS consists of PM 1 , which is most threatening on human health (Li et al 2016). After extended research we believe that other than in the ToPIQ-II (Wasel et al 2015; Gerber et al 2015a, b; Mueller et al 2012), differences between brands regarding PM emission in SS have not been investigated.…”

“…Furthermore the toxicity of PM is size-depending. The smaller the diameter of the particles, the deeper they can reach into our respiratory system (Li et al 2016). Particles with a size of less than 2.5 µm are even able to reach the alveoli, the gas exchange regions, where they might also be transferred to the bloodstream (Siponen et al 2015).…”