The chemical composition and toxicological effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted from different cooking styles

The mass, chemical composition and toxicological properties of fine particulates (PM2.5) emitted from cooking activities in three Hong Kong based restaurants and two simulated cooking experiments were characterized. Extracts from the PM2.5 samples elicited significant biological activities [cell viability, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage and inflammation effect (THE-alpha)] in a dose-dependent manner. The composition of PAHs, oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs) and azaarenes (AZAs) mixtures differed between samples. The concentration ranges of the Sigma 30PAHs, Sigma 17OPAHs and Sigma 4AZAs and Sigma 7Carbonyls in the samples were 9627-23,452 pg m(-3), 503 3700 pg m(-3), 33-263 pg m(-3) and 158 - 5328 ng m(-3), respectively. Cell viability caused by extracts from the samples was positively correlated to the concentration of benzo [a]anthracene, indeno [1,2,3-cd]pyrene and 1,4-naphthoquinone in the PM2.5 extracts. Cellular ROS production (upon exposure to extracts) was positively correlated with the concentrations of PM2.5, decaldehyde, acridine, E17OPAHs and 7 individual OPAHs. THE-alpha showed significant positive correlations with the concentrations of most chemical species (elemental carbon, 16 individual PAHs including benzo[a]pyrene, Sigma 30PAHs, SO42-, Ca-2(+), Ca, Na, K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn). The concentrations of Al, Ti, Mn, Sigma 30PAHs and 8 individual PAHs including benzo [a] pyrene in the samples were positively correlated with DNA damage caused by extracts from the samples. This study demonstrates that inhalation of PM2.5 emitted from cooking could result in adverse human health effects.

Automated summary

This study characterized the mass, composition, and toxicological properties of PM2.5 emitted from cooking activities in Hong Kong restaurants and simulated experiments. Extracts from the PM2.5 samples induced significant biological activities in a dose-dependent manner, with positive correlations between cell functions and chemical compositions.