2009

@article{Gualtieri200952,
title = {Winter fine particulate matter from Milan induces morphological and functional alterations in human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549)},
author = {Maurizio Gualtieri and Paride Mantecca and Viviana Corvaja and Eleonora Longhin and Maria Grazia Perrone and Ezio Bolzacchini and Marina Camatini},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378427409001520},
issn = {0378-4274},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {Toxicology Letters},
volume = {188},
number = {1},
pages = {52 - 62},
abstract = {Samples of PM2.5 were gravimetrically collected during the winter 2005/2006 in the urban area of Milan (North Italy). Samples were chemically characterized and the particles were detached from filters to determine their cytotoxic effects on the A549 cell line. Based on the potential toxicological relevance of its components, Milan winter PM2.5 contained high concentrations of pro-oxidant transition metals and PAHs, while re-suspended particles showed a relatively high frequency of dimensional classes ranging from 40 nm to 300 nm. A549 cells exposed to particle suspensions showed a concentration-dependent decrease in viability, starting from 10 μg/cm2. Phagocytosis of particles by A549 cells and particle aggregates were morphologically characterized and seemed to depend on both particle concentration and exposure time, with the majority of particles being engulfed in membrane-bound vacuoles after 24 h of exposure. The ability of ultrafine particles to penetrate and spread throughout the cells was also verified. Cell membrane lysis and mitochondrial ultrastructural disruption appeared to be the main modifications induced by PM2.5 on A549 cells. Concomitantly to the adverse effects observed in terms of cell mortality and ultrastructural lesions, a significant intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed, suggesting that the cytotoxicity, exerted by the winter PM2.5 in Milan, derived also from its oxidative potential, probably associated with particle-adsorbed metals and PAHs.},
keywords = {}
}

@article{GIMT,
title = {Particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban area of Milan (Italy)},
author = {Perrone, M.G., Ferrero, L., Bolzacchini, E, Cetta, F.},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {GIMT Giornale Italiano delle Malattie del Torace},
volume = {63},
number = {6},
pages = {385-396},
abstract = {Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were monitored in samples from atmospheric particulate matter (PM) for more than two years ( July 2001-Dec 2003) in a background site of the urban area of Milan (Italy). Nine PAHs were sistematically analyzed in 24-h PM2.5 and PM10 samples by ultrasonic extraction and HPLC-FD analysis: BaA, CHR, BeP, BbF, BkF, BaP, BghiP, dBahA and IcdP. All of them were quite exclusively present in the particulate phase (96-100%). A strong seasonal trend was observed for PAHs concentrations, with maximum autumn-winter concentrations (Σ-9 PAHs (PM2.5) = 18.8 ± 6.9 ng m -3) and minimum spring-summer values (Σ-9 PAHs (PM2.5) = 1.2 ± 0.6 ng m -3).The same trend was observed for the PAHs relative contribution in atmospheric particles, with autumn-winter particles, which were about 6 folds richer in PAHs than spring-summer, mainly because of different meteorological conditions. Even if PAHs make up a very small fraction of particles (Σ-9 PAHs ≅ 0.2% of yearly PM concentration), high PAH concentration during winter indicate a different seasonal \"toxicological quality\" of atmospheric PM, as PAHs are known to be very toxic compounds which are considered to be responsible for evident health side effects in urban areas. The nine analyzed PAHs were strictly correlated to each other, and a quite constant PAH pattern was observed in the background urban site during all the year, with BaP (99/30/CE) being about 12% of total PAHs. The nine particulate-bound PAHs were usually distributed in fine particles ([PAHs]PM 2.5 >95%[PAHs]PM 10). Therefore PAH monitoring should focus mainly on this particle fraction (PM 2.5 or eventually PM1), which is also more harmful, being entirely within the respirable fraction of PM. Due to the extreme variability in PAH concentration, and to the complexity of host-particle interaction, caution is suggested before stating a predifinite role for PAHs (and related patho-physiological mechanisms), in the occurrence of pollution related health effects.},
keywords = {}
}