Abstract Risk assessment of air pollution focus among others on the presence of particulate matter (PM) expressed as mass per volume air. However, it is thought that besides mass-concentration also the reactivity of PM itself might have an impact on human health. Inhaled PM, small enough to penetrate into the lower regions of our lungs, will encounter the outer membranes of het cells lining our airways and may provoke an oxidation reaction with the lipids present. This can result in oxidative stress that in turn can lead to inflammation and adverse health outcomes. Continuous exposure to PM can result in a prolonged immune response and irreversible damage to the lungs. Assessment of the capacity of PM to oxidize material has been addressed using a range of chemical-based assays. To improve the relevance of OP-measurements for health effect assessment, we use an assay which mimics the interaction of PM with lipids in the membranes of bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages. To address the potential of this so-called LPO-assay, we have assessed its sensitivity for different PM sources, its associations with in vitro and in human relevant endpoints and the options to integrate the assessment into the national air quality monitoring network. Eventually, if assessment of PM-reactivity turns out to predict negative effects on human health it will support design of source-specific policy more focused on health gain.
Stel et al. (Thu,) studied this question.