Numerous epidemiological studies have documented the effects of
particulate matter (e.g., [PM.sub.10], [PM.sub.2.5]) air pollution on
morbidity and mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Although oxidative stress appears to be a critical mechanism by which
exposure to PM causes adverse health effects, its use as a biomarker of
exposure has been limited. Boogaard et al. (p. 185) assessed the
oxidative potential of PM collected at major urban streets and
background locations, the relationship between oxidative potential with
other PM characteristics, and the oxidative potential of different PM
size Fractions. They measured [PM.sub.10], [PM.sub.2.5], soot, and the
elemental composition and oxidative potential of PM simultaneously in
samples from 8 major streets and H) urban and suburban background
locations in the Netherlands. Six 1-week measurements were performed at
each location over a 6-month period in 2008. The [PM.sub.10] oxidative
potential was 3.6 times higher for samples from major streets than for
samples from urban background locations, exceeding the contrast for PM
mass, soot, and all measured chemical PM characteristics. The contrast
between major streets and suburban background locations was even higher
(factor 6.5). Oxidative potential was highly correlated with soot,
barium, chromium, copper, iron, and manganese. The oxidative potential
of [PM.sub.10] was 4.6 times higher than the oxidative potential of
[PM.sub.2.5] when expressed per volume unit and 3.1 times higher when
expressed per mass unit. The results of this study suggest that measures
of oxidative stress could serve as biologically relevant indicators of
exposure to air pollutants.
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