In vitro cytotoxicity effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with PM10 during the Middle Eastern Dust (MED) storms in Ahvaz

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of PAHs extracts by PM10 from Ahvaz (Iran) during normal and dusty days from December 2012 to June 2015, using the A549 cell line (adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells) and lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) ELISA test. Also, the source of PM10 will be evaluated using the HYSPLIT Air Q model application. PAHs concentrations associated with PM10 were evaluated by chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Based on the obtained results, PM10 on both dusty and normal days caused cytotoxicity in the control group cells. According to t-test findings, the value of cytotoxicity in normal days was different from dust event days. Similarly, the tests of the normal days illustrated more extreme-level cytotoxicity than dust storm days at the treated dosage. Higher cytotoxicity was observed by increasing the incubation time of cells, which was supported by the ANOVA test. There is a significant relationship between different incubation times based on the ANOVA. Due to their ring structure, the PAHs compounds can exacerbate the toxicity in the samples at longer times.