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Published on: February 22, 2019
Comparative toxicity of size-fractionated airborne particulate matter collected at different distances from an urban
Seung-Hyun Cho1, Haiyan Tong, John K McGee
1National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA.
Background:
Epidemiologic studies have reported an association between proximity to highway traffic and increased cardiopulmonary illnesses.
Objectives:
We investigated the effect of size-fractionated particulate matter (PM), obtained at different distances from a highway, on acute cardiopulmonary toxicity in mice.
Methods:
We collected PM for 2 weeks in July-August 2006 using a three-stage (ultrafine, < 0.1 microm; fine, 0.1-2.5 microm; coarse, 2.5-10 microm) high-volume impactor at distances of 20 m [near road (NR)] and 275 m [far road (FR)] from an interstate highway in Raleigh, North Carolina. Samples were extracted in methanol, dried, diluted in saline, and then analyzed for chemical constituents. Female CD-1 mice received either 25 or 100 microg of each size fraction via oropharyngeal aspiration. At 4 and 18 hr postexposure, mice were assessed for pulmonary responsiveness to inhaled methacholine, biomarkers of lung injury and inflammation; ex vivo cardiac pathophysiology was assessed at 18 hr only.
Results:
Overall chemical composition between NR and FR PM was similar, although NR samples comprised larger amounts of PM, endotoxin, and certain metals than did the FR samples. Each PM size fraction showed differences in ratios of major chemical classes. Both NR and FR coarse PM produced significant pulmonary inflammation irrespective of distance, whereas both NR and FR ultrafine PM induced cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Conclusions:
On a comparative mass basis, the coarse and ultrafine PM affected the lung and heart, respectively. We observed no significant differences in the overall toxicity end points and chemical makeup between the NR and FR PM. The results suggest that PM of different size-specific chemistry might be associated with different toxicologic mechanisms in cardiac and pulmonary tissues.
Insights
Highway proximity particulate matter (PM) affects lung and heart health. Coarse PM caused lung inflammation, while ultrafine PM induced cardiac injury, regardless of distance from the road.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Cardiopulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Epidemiologic studies link highway traffic proximity to increased cardiopulmonary illnesses.
- Particulate matter (PM) from traffic emissions is a suspected causative agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cardiopulmonary toxicity of size-fractionated particulate matter (PM) collected at varying distances from a highway.
- To assess the impact of ultrafine, fine, and coarse PM on lung and cardiac function in mice.
Main Methods:
- Collected PM using a high-volume impactor at 20m (near road) and 275m (far road) from a highway.
- Administered different PM size fractions (<0.1µm, 0.1-2.5µm, 2.5-10µm) to mice via oropharyngeal aspiration.
- Evaluated pulmonary responsiveness, lung injury biomarkers, and cardiac pathophysiology post-exposure.
Main Results:
- Both near-road (NR) and far-road (FR) coarse PM induced significant pulmonary inflammation.
- Both NR and FR ultrafine PM caused cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury.
- Overall toxicity and chemical makeup showed no significant distance-dependent differences.
Conclusions:
- On a comparative mass basis, coarse PM primarily affected the lungs, and ultrafine PM affected the heart.
- PM size-specific chemistry may be linked to distinct toxicologic mechanisms in cardiac and pulmonary tissues.
- Highway proximity PM poses risks to cardiopulmonary health, with different size fractions targeting specific organs.
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