ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of airborne particles exposure on the micronucleus frequency of human binucleate lymphocytes. Methods Airborne particles were collected at a residential area of Taiyuan city with classification air samplers.The organic substance was extracted by dichloromethane acetone and methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. Four metals,Ni Pb Cd and Cr in airborne particles were extracted by 1∶1 nitric acid and determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.The mutagenicity of the extracts of airborne particles was studied with cytokinesis-locking assay. Results The content of airborne particles in the area was 0.791 9 mg/m3exceeded the related standard by 4.28 times. The small particles contained more metals elements and organic substances than the big particles. The extracts of airborne particles induced a significant increase in micronucleus production P