Toxicity of organic ultrafine particles in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells

Air pollution has significant health effects worldwide and airborne particles play a significant role in these effects. Ultrafine particles (UFPs) have an aerodynamic diameter of 0.1 μm or less and can penetrate deep into the respiratory tree and reach other organs such as the liver, the heart and the brain. UFPswould be more toxic due to their specific surface area which would absorb more organic compounds. The objective of this study is to show the toxicological effects of ultrafine particles with an important organic compounds content on Beas-2B model and by using an exposure at the air-liquid interface in order to keep their microphysic characteristics.