Short description
(English)
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Many epidemiological and laboratory-based studies show that aerosol particles are causing negative health effects such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, the particle properties causing these effects are mostly unknown. In this project, oxidation parameters of laboratory-generated particles (i.e., the radical and peroxide concentration) will be determined, which are likely influencing lung cell responses to particles. Method development to quantify these two compound classes is a major part of this proposal. These well-characterized particles will then be applied to cell cultures, which represent the inner surface of the lungs, in on-line experiments using a special exposure chamber recently built in an ongoing collaboration of the groups involved in the project presented here.
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Partners and International Organizations
(English)
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AT, BE, CH, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GR, HU, IT, LT, NL, NO, PL, PT, SI, TR, UK
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Abstract
(English)
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Many epidemiological and laboratory-based studies show that aerosol particles are causing negative health effects such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, the particle properties causing these effects are mostly unknown. The aim of this work is to quantify organic peroxides in laboratory-generated, atmospherically relevant aerosols and to investigate the biological responses of lung cells to these oxidized particles. The main hypothesis is, that the oxidation capacity of organic particles containing peroxides is mainly responsible for biological effects because of their high reactivity and oxidation potential. Method development to quantify organic peroxides was a major part of this project. A quantitative analyical iodometric method was established using commercially available standards with detection limits down to about 5 micro molar concentrations. This method was then applied to oxidized oleic acid aerosol particles and to more complex atmospherically relevant organic particles produced in the smog chamber at the Paul Scherer Institut, operated by the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry. 10-50% of the total particle mass can be attributed to organic perxides. These well-characterized particles generated in the smog chamber and analysed for their peroxide content were then deposited onto lung cell cultures in first test experiments. Slightly increased expression of inflammation markers (IL-6, IL-8) was observed for lung cells exposed to these oxidized smog chamber organic aerosols.
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