New health index derived from oxidative potential and cell toxicity of fine particulate matter to assess its potential health effect
Minhan Park, Seunghye Lee, Haebum Lee, Ma. Cristine Faye J. Denna, Jiho Jang, D.J. Oh, Min‐Suk Bae, Kyoung‐Soon Jang, Kihong Park
Abstract
Toxicological data and exposure levels of fine particulate matters (PM 2.5 ) are necessary to better understand their health effects. Simultaneous measurements of PM 2.5 oxidative potential (OP) and cell toxicity in urban areas (Beijing, China and Gwangju, Korea) reveal their dependence on chemical composition. Notably, acids (Polar), benzocarboxylic acids, and Pb were the chemical components that affected both OP and cell toxicity. OP varied more significantly among different locations and seasons (winter and summer) than cell toxicity. Using the measured OP, cell toxicity, and PM 2.5 concentration, a health index was developed to better assess the potential health effects of PM 2.5 . The health index was related to the sources of PM 2.5 derived from the measured chemical components. The contributions of secondary organic aerosols and dust to the proposed health index were more significant than their contributions to PM 2.5 mass. The developed regression equation was used to predict the health effect of PM 2.5 without further toxicity measurements. This new index could be a valuable health metric that provides information beyond just the PM 2.5 concentration level.