Combined effect of atrazine and PM₁₀ on the health risk of liver

Atrazine (ATZ) may co-occur with elevated particulate pollution during application seasons, yet how PM₁₀ modifies its atmospheric behavior and toxicological outcomes remains unclear. Here, we combined greenhouse-based atmospheric simulation with a 21-day mouse inhalation exposure model to evaluate PM₁₀-ATZ co-pollution and hepatotoxicity. Under haze conditions, the mean atmospheric ATZ concentration was higher (301.33 ng/m³), and its apparent half-life was 1.31 d higher than non-haze periods. In mice, co-exposure to PM₁₀ and ATZ induced more pronounced liver injury than single exposure, characterized by aggravated histopathological lesions and increased hepatocyte apoptosis. The average TUNEL-positive cell percentage increased from 0.4% (ATZ) to 1.1% (PM₁₀+ATZ), and the density of TUNEL-positive cells reached 0.07, significantly higher than ATZ alone (P < 0.01). Overall, PM₁₀ promoted the atmospheric persistence of atrazine and amplified its hepatotoxic effects under combined inhalation exposure, highlighting the importance of considering particulate pollution when evaluating atrazine-related exposure scenarios.