An Investigation of the Genotoxic Effects of Airborne Particulate Matter Using Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract

Samples of the PM ₁₀ fraction of airborne particulate mat ter were collected from a roadside location in Cornwall using a Partisol 2000 gravimetric air sampler. Cultured human lung fibroblasts were exposed to a sonicated extract of this matter for various periods of time (0-120 h) and the presence of DNA damage was then assessed using single-cell gel electrophoresis. Four times the level of DNA damage was detected in the PM₁₀-exposed cells than that observed in similarly treated but non-PM₁₀ exposed control cells. This indicates that the airborne PM₁₀ from this site has significant genotoxic effects in this experimental system and that single-cell gel electro phoresis is a useful technique for the assessment of this form of particulate matter-induced biological damage.