Mutagenicity and clastogenicity of native airborne particulate matter samples collected under industrial, urban or rural influence

- Native PM samples are highly mutagenic in YG1041 tester strain.
- Native PM samples are clastogenic in BEAS-2B cells.
- Mutagenic and clastogenic effects of native PM samples could contribute to their carcinogenicity.

Airborne particulate matter has recently been classified by the IARC as carcinogenic to humans (group 1). However, the link between PM chemical composition and its carcinogenicity is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and to compare genotoxic potencies of 6 native PM samples collected in spring-summer or autumn-winter, either in industrial, urban or rural area. We evaluated their mutagenicity through Ames test on YG1041, TA98, and TA102 tester strains, and their clastogenicity on human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells using comet assay, γ-H2AX quantification, and micronucleus assay. Ames test results showed a strong positive response, presumably associated with nitro-aromatics content. In addition, at least 2 positive responses were observed out of the 3 genotoxicity assays for each of the 6 samples, demonstrating their clastogenicity. Our data suggest that PM samples collected in autumn-winter season are more genotoxic than those collected in spring-summer, potentially because of higher concentrations of adsorbed organic compounds. Taken together, our results showed the mutagenicity and clastogenicity of native PM2.5 samples from different origins, and bring additional elements to explain the newly recognized carcinogenicity of outdoor air pollution.