Effects of toluene and benzene air mixtures on human lung cells (A549)

Human epithelial lung cells (A549) were exposed to toluene and benzene in the air as individual compounds and mixtures at concentrations of about 0.25 ppmv in a specifically adapted fumigation device. Possible early toxicological effects at cellular level have been determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione redox status (GSH) and comet assay. An hour of exposure to 0.25 ppmv of toluene in the air induced DNA damages which were repaired within 24 h after the treatment. No DNA damage was detected by applying a similar concentration of benzene, but there was a decrease in the glutathione ratio. Exposure to a mixture of toluene and benzene in air led to an increase in the cytotoxic effect and DNA damage without any further repair, but did not induce any changes in the glutathione redox status.