Mutagenic and genotoxic effect of PM0.5 in different Italian towns: the MAPEC_LIFE study.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. The finest fractions of PM (PM2.5 µm and less) play the major role in causing chronic diseases. The structure and composition of PM influence the biological properties of particles. The aim of the MAPEC study is to evaluate the association between air pollution and early biomarkers in children recruited from first grade schools of 5 Italian towns with different PM levels. This work aims to evaluate children exposure to urban air pollution investigating the genotoxic effect of PM0.5 samples. PM0.5 samples were collected in the school area in two seasons (winter and spring). PM0.5 organic extracts were chemically analyzed and tested for genotoxicity on A549 cells (comet assay, micronucleus test and Ames test). Results showed that PM0.5 represents a very variable PM10 percentage. PM10 concentration was generally lower than 50µg/m3 with highest values in the Padana plain in winter. In the same season all PM0.5 extracts showed at least one mutagenic dose with Ames test suggesting the presence of indirect mutagens (+S9). Lower biological effect and also a lower level of PAHs and Nitro-PAHs were generally observed in spring. Mutagenic effects were associated to the levels of chemical pollutants. No genotoxic or oxidative effect of PM0.5 extracts was generally observed using the comet assay and micronucleus test in both seasons. The results obtained may be helpful for public health policies, suggesting to include in the monitoring of traditional parameters of air quality the measure of PAHs and Nitro-PAHs in PM0.5 samples; moreover, the Ames test, rather than other assays, should be preferred when genotoxic properties of PM0.5 have to be evaluated. The evaluation of PM fractions, including chemical or toxicological evaluation, could improve the air quality assessment, which is essential for the planning of strategies for environment and health protection. Main message The results may be helpful for public health policies, suggesting that the measure of PAHs/Nitro-PAHs and genotoxicity evaluation (Ames test) of PM0.5 are useful for air quality assessment. The chemical and toxicological evaluation of PM fractions could improve the air quality assessment, which is essential for the planning of strategies for environment and health protection. Session preference Environmental-related health, Air Quality Assessment, Biological effect of particulate matter