Characterization of airborne particles and cytotoxicity to a human lung cancer cell line in Guangzhou, China.

Air pollution by airborne particles is a serious health problem worldwide. The present study was aimed at investigating the concentrations and composition of total suspended particles (TSPs) and PM2.5 at various industrial/commercial sites of Guangzhou, a megacity of Southern China. Major and trace elements, ions and carbonaceous fraction were determined and main components were calculated. In addition, in order to assess the potential toxic on the respiratory system of these PM, cytotoxicity of size-fractionated particles (PM10-5.6, PM5.6-3.3, PM3.3-1.1, PM1.1-0.43) for a human lung cancer cell line (A549) was also investigated. Correlations between PM constituents and toxicity were assessed. Median levels of TSPs and PM2.5 in industrial/commercial sites were 206 and 57.7 µg/m3, respectively. Nickel, Cu, Mo, Mn, Pb, and Ti were the most abundant metals in TSPs and PM2.5. Industrial activities and coal combustion were the most important sources of carbonaceous particles in the zone. MTT assays showed that PM10-5.6 and PM1.1-0.43 had the highest and the lowest cytotoxicity to A549 cell lines, respectively. Inhalable particles around the manufacturing of metal facilities and formal waste treatment plants showed a high cytotoxicity to A549 cell lines. In general terms, no significant correlations were found between main components of PM and toxicity. However, W showed a significant correlation with cell viability.