Year-long and seasonal differences of PM_2.5 chemical characteristics and their role in the viability of human lung epithelial cells (A549)

Fine particulate matters-PM_2.5 in the air can have considerable negative effects on human health and the environment. Various human cell-based studies examined the effect of PM_2.5 on human health in different cities of the world using various chemical parameters. Unfortunately, limited information is available regarding the relationship between toxicity and chemical characteristics of PM_2.5 collected in Istanbul, Türkiye, located in one of the most populated cities in the world. To investigate the chemical characteristics and cytotoxicity of PM_2.5 in Istanbul, samples were collected for 12 months, then potentially toxic metals, oxidative potential, and particle indicators (e.g., functional groups and elements) were determined, and the cytotoxicity of PM_2.5 on human A549 lung alveolar epithelial cells was examined. The mean PM_2.5 mass concentration was 24.0 ± 17.4 µg m⁻³ and higher in cold months compared to other seasons. Moreover, the results of the metals, elemental, and functional groups indicated that seasonal and monthly characteristics were influenced by the regional anthropogenic sources and photochemistry input. The cytotoxicity results also showed that the viability of A549 cells was reduced with the exposure of PM_2.5 (30–53%) and higher cytotoxicity was obtained in summer compared to the other seasons due to the impact of the metals, elements, and oxidative characteristics of PM_2.5.