A Toxicological Assessment of Air Pollution in the Vicinity of a Petrochemical Complex

Residential proximity to the petrochemical industrial sites has been associated with increasing risk of cancer and respiratory disorders. Toxicity assessment is an integral part of the petrochemical complex risk assessment. Toxicity information is critical to the risk assessment, but the amount of new/local toxicological evaluation of primary data required to complete for risk assessment is limited in Taiwan. Physicochemical characterization of particulate matter (PM) is essential to understand particle toxicity; however, little do we know the physicochemistry of PM in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex in Taiwan. The importance of this project is to provide toxicological evidence for determination whether additional emission reductions are warranted to protect public health or the environment. The objective of the present study is to establish a toxicological database for risk assessment in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex in Taiwan. Also, the cardiopulmonary effects and the possible mechanisms in response to the PM exposure in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex will be determined. We initially observed that the methionine of albumin was oxidised by PM in vitro and in vivo and that methionine oxidation may be resulted from the chemicals of PM. Also, alteration in the expression of ubiquitinated protein and autophagy was observed in response to PM exposure in vitro. We propose the following specific aims for the 3-year study: (1) to establish a toxicological database for risk assessment in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex in Taiwan; (2) to determine the potential health effects in response to PM exposure in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex in Taiwan; (3) to determine the roles of particle size, mass and metals in regulating pulmonary protein oxidation. To achieve these aims, the translational approach will be used from in vitro (Year 1), acute exposure in vivo (Year 2) and sub-chronic exposure in vivo (Year 3). The PM collected from the petrochemical complex will be provided from the Sub-project 1 for the Year 1 and Year 2 studies. In the Year 3, the combination of the PM sampling system with the whole-body mouse exposure system will be set up in the the vicinity of a petrochemical complex in Taiwan for 3 months exposure. Protein oxidation, autophagy, oxidative stress and inflammation will be determined as well as the cardiopulmonary impairments. This project will lead to improved public health policies and the results may identify at-risk populations, determine appropriate preventive measures and propose documented thresholds for exposure to pollutants.