Genotoxic Activity of Particulate Matter and In Vivo Tests in Children Exposed to Air Pollution

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between micronuclei and DNA damage in children’s buccal mucosa cells and the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of the different sized fractions of particulate matter as well as the concentration of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and metals in particulate matter. Air particulate matter was collected by high volume samplers located near the schools attended by the children on the same days of biological samplings. The mutagenic activity was assessed in different cells in in vitro tests (Ames test on bacteria and comet test on leukocytes). Our study showed weak positive correlations between (a) the mutagenicity of the PM0.5 fraction and PAHs and (b) the micronuclei test of children’s buccal cells and PAHs detected in PM0.5 and PM0.5–3 fractions. A positive correlation was also found between in vitro comet test on leukocytes and PAHs in the PM3–10 fraction. No correlation was observed for metal concentrations in each PM fraction.

Winter Air Pollution and Genotoxic Effects in Children Living in a Highly Polluted Urban Area

“…The comet test did not show any association with air pollutants, but the DNA damage appeared higher during the second winter in the presence of higher air pollution levels. Similar results have been reported by other authors, highlighting that MN and comet tests detect independent effects induced by different substances not necessarily attached to ultrafine particulate matter [23,36,55], in contrast to other studies showing a concordance among these tests, including if with lower concentration of air pollutants [49].…”