Mutagenic and genotoxic activity of particulate matter PM2.5 from Cucuta, Colombia

Objective. To determine mutagenic and genotoxic activity of particulate matter PM2.5 collected in high vehicular traffic way of Cucuta, Colombia. Materials and methods: Between January to July of 2011, PM2.5 was monitored by a Partisol 2025 sequential air sampler by using Plus Palmflex quartz filters. The mutagenic and genotoxic activity from extract of PM2.5 was determinate by using two assays: the Ames test and comet assay. In the mutagenic assay we used the Salmonella Typhimurium strain TA-100. To determine the genotoxic damage peripheral blood lymphocytes were used. Results: This is the first study that has been conducted in border region of Colombia and Venezuela that reports the mutagenic and genotoxic activity associated with particulate matter PM2.5 from Cucuta. The result show mutagenic activity in the Salmonella Typhimurium strain TA-100 and genotoxicity in peripheral blood human lymphocytes. Conclusions: Samples of particulate matter PM2.5 from Cucuta city were found, compounds that induced mutation by base substitution were found, also compounds that can reach the cell nucleus and induced genotoxic damage in their ADN were found. This can represent a risk in the population exposed for manifestation for diseases such as cancer.