Effect of the chemical composition of organic extracts from environmental and industrial atmospheric samples on the genotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mixtures

International audienceParticulate organic matter (PM) present in the atmosphere is a complex mixture of chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that may exert adverse health effects including respiratory and cardiovascular disturbances and cancer. In this study, airborne samples from environmental or industrial areas exhibiting different physicochemical composition were compared for their capacities to induce DNA damage in human hepatocytes HepG2. DNA strand breaks and DNA adducts formed by benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), the most reactive metabolite of the carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), were measured with the comet assay and by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/mass spectrometry, respectively. Cells were exposed to organic matter extracted from PM. Experiments were performed either at a constant concentration of B[a]P or at concentrations corresponding to fixed air volumes. Results show that industrial extracts tend to produce more benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-N 2-2′-deoxyguanosine (BPDE-N 2-dGuo) DNA adducts than strand breaks, whereas the opposite was observed with environmental extracts. The chemical composition of the extracts significantly impacts the nature and levels of DNA damage. The amount of B[a]P and interaction with other contaminants in the extracts need to be considered to explain the formation of DNA damage. These results emphasize the use of in vitro tests as promising and complementary tools to widely used toxic equivalent factor (TEF) approach in order to assess health hazards related to chemical exposure of the general population

Aerosol chemical characterization in the Rhône-Alpes region: study of differentemission source contribution by a multitracers approach

National audienc

Campagne pilote de surveillance de la qualité de l'air dans les écoles et crèches en France : Résultats de la première phase

National audienceA nationwide monitoring system of indoor air quality in public premises, especially with vulnerable populations such as children, has been decided in the frame of the 'Grenelle Environnement'. The first phase of a pilot study took place from September 2009 to June 2010, and involved 160 schools and day-care centres across 13 regions. The other French regions are taking part in a second wave, begun in September 2010. This campaign has focused on several parameters: two chemical pollutants (benzene and formaldehyde), the air stuffiness. In addition, a simple audit of each building was carried out. The results show, with respect to the management values put forward by the French committee for public health (HCSP), that air quality is overall acceptable in most schools and day-care centres which have taken part in this study. Nonetheless, a few cases require additional diagnoses or corrective measures. Furthermore, 16% of classrooms were found to be insufficiently ventilated (25% in elementary schools). The Mayors and School Principals were notified, and were provided means to identify the main sources of pollution as well as to implement remediation measures.En préparation de la surveillance de la qualité de l'air dans les écoles et crèches décidée à l'occasion du Grenelle Environnement, une campagne pilote a été engagée en septembre 2009. Une première phase s'est terminée à l'été 2010. Elle a porté sur 160 écoles et crèches réparties dans 13 régions. Les autres régions françaises font l'objet d'une deuxième phase de mesures depuis septembre 2010. Durant cette phase pilote, plusieurs paramètres ont été mesurés : deux polluants chimiques (le benzène et le formaldéhyde) et le confinement des salles de classe ou d'activités. En complément, un diagnostic simple de chaque bâtiment a été réalisé. Les résultats montrent, si l'on se réfère aux valeurs de gestion proposées par le Haut Conseil de la Santé Publique (HCSP), que la qualité de l'air est acceptable dans la plupart des écoles et crèches expérimentées pour ces paramètres. Néanmoins, quelques situations nécessitent des diagnostics complémentaires et des mesures correctives. En outre, 16 % des salles instrumentées sont insuffisamment ventilées (25 % dans les écoles élémentaires). Les maires et chefs d'établissement ont été informés des résultats et bénéficient, le cas échéant, de moyens d'expertise pour tenter d'identifier les sources principales de pollution et mettre en place les actions nécessaires