Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5): a polluted city experiencing Middle East dust events

Exposure to air pollutants especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses serious risks to human health including cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. However, depending on the meteorological conditions and emission sources, chemical composition of PM2.5 and consequently related adverse health effects may vary in different locations. In this study, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of water-soluble and organic fraction of ambient air PM2.5 of Isfahan city, Iran, were evaluated using the MTT and comet assay, respectively. Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as important toxic agents of organic fraction of particles were also determined. The results showed that both fraction of PM2.5 especially organic fraction induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects at tested concentrations. Analysis of PAHs showed a concentration of 1.5–18.6 ng/m3 of total PAHs and 0.99–11.2 ng/m3 for carcinogenic PAHs, respectively, with an important role on the toxic effect of PM2.5 organic fraction. Overall, our results showed a considerable cytotoxic effect (0–64