ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the genetic damage of dust storm fine particles on human blood lymphocytes. Methods The chromosomal aberration test and cytochalasin B blocked test were used to investigate the effect in vitro of dust storm fine particles (PM2.5) (0, 33, 100, 300 ?g/ml)collected in Baotou and Wuwei cities on human lymphocytes. Results In both dust storm and normal ambient air fine particles treated cells revealed an increase in the chromosomal aberration level and micronuclei frequency (MNF). The chromosomal aberration(CA)were characterized as chromatid break, chromosome break, acentric fragment, dicentric chromosome and gaps. With the increase of treatment concentrations the aberration level and MNF increased and the mitotic index(MI) and the nuclear division index (NDI) values declined in a dose-response manner(P0.05). The treatments of normal ambient air PM2.5 from Baotou City were significant higher than those of Wuwei City, but the treatments of dust storm PM2.5 were not significant different between the cities. Conclusion Dust storm PM2.5 from Baotou City and Wuwei City may cause human lymphocytes genetic damage and its genetic toxicity is related to the dose.