Particle size, chemical composition, seasons of the year and urban, rural or remote site origins as determinants of biological effects of particulate matter on pulmonary cells

Particulate matter (PM), a complex mix of chemical compounds, results to be associated with various health effects. However there is still lack of information on the impact of its different components. PM2.5 and PM1 samples, collected during the different seasons at an urban, rural and remote site, were chemically characterized and the biological effects induced on A549 cells were assessed. A Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis has been performed to relate PM chemical composition to the toxic effects observed. Results show that PM-induced biological effects changed with the seasons and sites, and such variations may be explained by chemical constituents of PM, derived both from primary and secondary sources. The first-time here reported biological responses induced by PM from a remote site at high altitude were associated with the high concentrations of metals and secondary species typical of the free tropospheric aerosol, influenced by long range transports and aging.

► We collected PM1 and PM2.5 at three sites in North Italy during seasons.
► We investigated the chemical composition of PMs and the biological effects.
► PM1 and PM2.5 chemical variability was explained towards seasons, sites and PM sizes.
► The PM-induced biological effects changed with the seasons and sites.
► The relation between composition and effects was studied by a chemometric approach.