Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are emerging contaminants that are harmful to health. Human exposure occurs mainly through ingestion or dermal contact, but inhalation could be an additional exposure route; therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the oestrogenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM). Outdoor PM was collected for a year in five Italian sites and extracted with organic solvents (four seasonal extracts/site). The oestrogenic activity was assessed using a gene reporter assay (MELN), and the risk to human health through inhalation was quantified using the results. Moreover, extracts were analysed to assess cytotoxicity (WST-1 and LDH assays) on human bronchial cells (BEAS-2B). The extracts induced a significant cytotoxicity and oestrogenic activity. Oestrogenic activity showed a seasonal trend and was correlated with concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene and toxic equivalency factor. Although a low inhalation cancer risk was found, this study confirmed that oes-trogenic activity in air could contribute to overall health risks due to EDC exposure.

Can oestrogenic activity in air contribute to the overall body burden of endocrine disruptors?

Gea, Marta
First
;
Macri, Manuela;Bonetta, Sara;Schiliro, Tiziana
Last
2023-01-01

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are emerging contaminants that are harmful to health. Human exposure occurs mainly through ingestion or dermal contact, but inhalation could be an additional exposure route; therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the oestrogenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM). Outdoor PM was collected for a year in five Italian sites and extracted with organic solvents (four seasonal extracts/site). The oestrogenic activity was assessed using a gene reporter assay (MELN), and the risk to human health through inhalation was quantified using the results. Moreover, extracts were analysed to assess cytotoxicity (WST-1 and LDH assays) on human bronchial cells (BEAS-2B). The extracts induced a significant cytotoxicity and oestrogenic activity. Oestrogenic activity showed a seasonal trend and was correlated with concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene and toxic equivalency factor. Although a low inhalation cancer risk was found, this study confirmed that oes-trogenic activity in air could contribute to overall health risks due to EDC exposure.
2023
102
104232
104232
Cytotoxicity; Endocrine disrupting chemicals; In vitro assay; MELN cells; Particulate matter; Risk assessment
Gea, Marta; Macri, Manuela; Marangon, Daniele; Pitasi, Francesco Antonio; Fontana, Marco; Bonetta, Sara; Schiliro, Tiziana
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1928156
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