Mutagenicity and evaluation of chemical composition of atmospheric particulate mater from Limeira, Stolckholm and Kyoto

Researcher at LAEG: Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro

Main Researcher: Fábio Kummrow

Duration: March/2016 – February/2018

Supported by: The Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

Members: Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro, Fábio Kummrow, Bianca de Souza Maselli

Support Type: Regular Research

The atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is associated with multiple injuries and diseases, being recently classified as carcinogenic to humans by IARC and recognized as a mutagen to germ cells. Although its toxicity, including genotoxic effects, is admittedly linked to the size of the particles, the contribution of their chemical composition for these effects are not well established. It is known that these effects are caused either by toxicants emitted directly into the environment, and by those formed by atmospheric reactions, which are huge influenced by regional and climatic characteristics. In order to identify mutagens in PM, approaches that combined mutagenicity tests employing bacteria with high throughput chemical analysis, for example, mass spectrometry cyclotron resonance of ions and Fourier transform (FT-ICR MS) has been internationally recommended. The objective of this multicenter study is to investigate the influence of atmospheric and climatic conditions of Limeira (Brazil), Stockholm (Sweden) and Kyoto (Japan) in the chemical composition and mutagenic activity of PM collected during the winter in these cities. The Salmonella/microsome test with different diagnostic strains will be used to evaluate organic extracts of PM samples. The data will be used to direct the mutagens analytical identification step. Samples will be collected and processed using the same protocols allowing direct comparison of results. The sample preparation and fractionation of the extracts will be held in Sweden. Chemical analysis will be carried out in Sweden, Japan and Brazil and the mutagenicity profile in Brazil. The intent of this project is to consolidate the use of diagnostic test strains of Salmonella/microsome, especially YG5185 never used for this purpose, the characterization of mutagenicity PM and driving of chemical identification analysis. If successful, the FT-ICR MS technique could prove very important in helping to identify chemical mutagens. Weather conditions and the transport of air masses that influenced the formation of secondary pollutants in each collection site during the study period will be identified and the data used to suggest possible sources and processes of formation of mutagenic compounds and mutagenic activity profile identified. (AU)