Abstract
Fine particles were collected in three indoor environments and an outdoor reference site. Samples were acid and aqueous extracted for metal analyses and cytokine expression study using a BEAS-2B line. Results revealed that the average PM(2.5) concentration indoors was 5.8 μg/m(3) while outside, it was 9.4 μg/m(3). The airborne metal concentrations in indoor air ranged from 0.01 ng/m(3) (Cd) to 620 ng/m(3) (Al). All metals analyzed were higher indoors when compared to outdoor (I/O ratio) indicating a contribution from the workplace. Some metals were more efficiently extracted (e.g., Ni, V, As) in the aqueous phase than others (e.g., Fe and Al). Toxicological assays showed that the aqueous extracts at 20% induced IL-6 and subsequently inhibited it at a higher concentration (50%); both IL-8 and MCP-1 were inhibited at 20 and 50%. As, Ni and V concentrations seem to be the most important metals associated with the cytokine induction/inhibition response probably due to the higher bioavailability.