Toxicological Effects of Particulate Matter from a Nordic Chimney Wood Stove on Two Human Lung Cell Lines

Motivation: Exposure to wood smoke (WS) has been linked to asthma and COPD and increased risk of respiratory tract infections. The mechanisms by which biomass-derived smoke can induce those effects are poorly understood. Methods: WS samples from incomplete combustion in a Nordic chimney stove were collected on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrates from diluted exhaust air with a gravimetric impactor (DGI, Dekati Finland). The PAH-rich particles’ ability to induce cellular effects was tested using various toxicological assays in two different human cell lines, a bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) and an alveolar epithelial cell line (A549). Cells were exposed for 6 h to four WS particle concentrations (37, 75, 150 and 220 μg mL−1). Results: In both cell lines, the WS particle samples induced a statistically significant reduction in metabolic activity (Figure 1A). A similar response was detected in olive tail moment (OTM) response, which measures DNA fragmentation (Figure 1B). When apoptotic cell death was asses using annexin V, a significant response was only detected for BEAS-2B cells at the highest WS dose (Figure 1C). Conclusions: The findings indicate that PAH-rich wood smoke particles from incomplete combustion induced cellular dysfunction and DNA damage. These mechanisms may provide rationale for the adverse health effects occurring after long term wood smoke exposure.