Genotoxicity of particulate material (PM2.5) suspended in the ambient air of the urban area of Cuenca

Exposure to environmental particles is a risk factor that causes damage to human health, such as respiratory, cardiovascular and cancer disorders. The toxicity and inflammatory effect of these particles are related to their size and chemical characteristics. The objective of this study is to chemically characterize the aqueous and organic fraction of the PM2.5 particulate material collected in three monitoring sites of the city of Cuenca-Ecuador, and evaluate its genotoxic activity in the Human Alveolar Cellular Cell line A-549. The samples will be collected using a low -caudal sample team Marca Partisol 2000i, subsequently the determination of the PM2.5 concentrations will be carried out and will be compared to the limits stipulated in the national regulations; The aqueous and organic fraction will be extracted by ultrasound, using as solvent water deionized for the aqueous fraction and for the organic extraction dicloromethane, acetone and a mixture of acetone: dichloromethane (1: 3), once obtained the extracts; Its chemical composition will be determined by analyzing the supernatant of the aqueous and organic suspension, through atomic absorption and chromatography spectroscopy techniques, with FID detector, the column used is Agilent DB Eupah 20m in length, 0.18mm in diameter, 0.25¿m in internal diameter. A-549 cells will be exposed to different concentrations (0.82; 1.25 and 1.63 m3/ml) of the extracts, in order to observe the possible genotoxic effect by means of the comet's test, which could constitute a risk in the health of the exposed population of the city of Cuenca.

14th RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION