Objective To study DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte induced by PM2.5.
Methods One hundred and seven traffic policemen were selected as exposed population and one hundred and one common residents were selected as the control. All members were male nonsmokers or ones who had quitted smoking for at least 6 months and so were their family members, all of them were between 25 and 55 years old. The level of exposure to PM2.5 was obtained by personal monitor of PM2.5 for 24 h. Blood samples were then collected to detect DNA damage by single cell gelelectrophoresis assay.
Results The average level of exposure to PM2.5 per day in exposed group(115.40& #177;46.17) μg/m3 was significantly higher than that in control group (74.94& #177;40.09)μg/m3. Comet cell percentage was (15.20& #177;3.46)% and Olive moment was 1.25& #177;0.29 in exposed group, which were both significantly higher than those in control group (10.05& #177;3.45)% and 0.86& #177;0.22. The level of DNA damage became higher as the exposure level increased, but no significant correlation with age or length of service was found.
Conclusion Exposed to higher level of airborne PM2.5 could result in higher DNA damage.
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