title: An integrated in vitro approach for toxicity testing of airborne contaminants.
abstract: While it is possible to establish the chemical composition of air pollutants through conventional air sampling and analytical techniques, such data do not provide direct measures of toxicity and the potential mechanisms that induce adverse effects. The aim of this study was to optimize in vitro methods for toxicity testing of airborne contaminants. An integrated approach was designed in which appropriate exposure techniques were developed. A diversified range of in vitro assays using multiple human cell systems were implemented. Direct exposure of cells to airborne contaminants was developed by culturing cells on porous membranes in conjunction with a horizontal diffusion chamber system. Concentration-response curves were generated allowing the measurement of toxicity endpoints. Regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between in vitro and published in vivo toxicity data for the majority of selected chemical contaminants. Airborne IC50 values were calculated for selected volatile organic compounds (xylene, 5350 +/- 328 ppm > toluene, 10,500 +/- 527 ppm) and gaseous contaminants (NO2, 11 +/- 3.54 ppm > SO2, 48 +/- 2.83 ppm and > NH3, 199 +/- 1.41 ppm). Results of this study indicate the significant potential of in vitro methods as an advanced technology for toxicity assessment of airborne contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Safety and Applied Toxicology Laboratories, School of Safety Science, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Shahnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakand
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winder
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D012016:Reference Values; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity; D014050:Toluene / Q000633:toxicity; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014992:Xylenes / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D012997:Solvents; D014992:Xylenes; D014050:Toluene