DETERMINATION OF GENOTOXIC POTENTIAL OF PARTICULATE MATTER IN HUMAN BLOOD CELLS

Abstract

The aim of present work was to identify priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and particulate matter (PM10) concentration in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and finding the potential of PAHs to cause DNA damage. Four sites from the Faisalabad city were selected namely Chenab Chowk (CC), Government Transport Service Chowk (GTS), General Bus Stand (GBS) and Allied Chowk (AC). Average PM10 concentrations at these sites were 372, 283, 223 and 150 μg m–3, respectively when measured with high volume air sampler and maximum concentrations were 501, 456, 625 and 271 with Casella Microdust ProTM sampler. Ten out of 16 priority PAHs were identified using GC/MS technique. These were Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Flourene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, chrysene and Benzo (e) pyrene. The DNA damage was detected through Comet assay. The significant DNA damage was seen in the cells as compared to the control. The PM10 concentrations were higher than the EPA designated limits of 150 μg m–3. So there is urgent need to reduce emissions to meet the standards.