Organic carbon and acidic ions in PM2.5 contributed to particle bioreactivity in Chinese megacities during haze episodes

Kin Fai Ho, Ya Chun Lee, Xinyi Niu, Hongmei Xu, Renjian Zhang, Jun Ji Cao, Cheng Yu Tsai, Ta Chih Hsiao, Hsiao Chi Chuang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to cardiopulmonary disease and systemic effects in humans. However, few studies have investigated the particle bioreactivity in Chinese megacities during haze episodes. The objective of this study was to determine the contributions of chemical components in PM2.5 to particle bioreactivity in Chinese megacities during haze episodes. PM2.5 samples were collected in 14 megacities across China from 23 December 2013 to 16 January 2014. Average PM2.5 concentrations ranged 88.92~199.67 μg/m3. Organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), anions, and cations per unit of PM2.5 were linked to cellular bioreactivity (i.e., reactive oxygen species (ROS) as assessed by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH) and inflammation as assessed by interleukin (IL)-6 in A549 cells). The contributions of chemicals in PM2.5 to ROS and inflammation were examined by the Pearson correlation coefficient and random forests. These results indicated that OC, Ca2+, SO42−, Cl−, F−, K+, and NO3− contributed to ROS production, whereas OC, Cl−, EC, K+, F−, Na+, and Ca2+ contributed to inflammation. In conclusion, PM2.5-contained OC and acidic ions are important in regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation during haze episodes. Our findings suggest that severe haze PM2.5 events cause deterioration in air quality and may adversely affect human health.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11865-11873
Number of pages9
JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume29
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2022

Keywords

  • Aerosols/analysis
  • Air Pollutants/analysis
  • Carbon/analysis
  • China
  • Cities
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Ions/analysis
  • Particle Size
  • Particulate Matter/analysis
  • Seasons

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