Development and Application of an Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometry Method for the Determination of Oxygen Free Radical Formation by Particulate Matter

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 39; no. 21; pp. 8420 - 8426
• Main Authors: Briedé, Jacob J, de Kok, Theo M. C. M, Hogervorst, Janneke G. F, Moonen, Edwin J. C, op den Camp, Clif L. B, Kleinjans, Jos C. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.11.2005
• Subjects: Air pollution; Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Airborne particulates; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Biological and medical sciences; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy - methods; Electrons; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental Pollutants; Exact sciences and technology; Free Radicals; Medical sciences; Particle Size; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Polycyclic Compounds - analysis; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Reactive Oxygen Species - chemistry; Scientific imaging; Spectrum analysis; Hydrocarbon; Respiratory disease; Pollutant behavior; Inorganic free radical; EPR spectrometry; Cardiovascular disease; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Heavy metal; Coarse particle; Health and environment; Correlation analysis; Fine particle; Aerosols; Air pollution; Chemical composition; Public health
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es0485311

Exposure to increased levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) are associated with several health effects, including cardiopulmonary diseases. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is thought to play an important role in the induction of these health effects. To quantify the ROS generating capacity of PM, we developed an improved electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry-based method. ROS formation was measured directly on PM-containing filters, thereby avoiding the selective extraction of components and loss of material or reactivity, which is likely to occur during filter extraction. Also, ascorbic acid was added to stimulate ROS formation. This method was applied to PM10 samples originating from different sources. The radical generating capacity of PM10 from both gasoline and diesel engine exhaust was significantly higher as compared to that of PM10 from ambient or indoor air. Furthermore, in urban PM10 and PM2.5, ROS-generating capacity significantly correlated with concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content and particular transition metals. This indicates that this improved ESR method may be a valuable tool for evaluating the relationship between ROS formation by PM and the adverse health effects associated with this type of air pollution.