Chemistry, lung toxicity and mutagenicity of burn pit smoke-related particulate matter

Chemistry, lung toxicity and mutagenicity of burn pit smoke-related particulate matter

Kim, Y.H.
Warren, S.H.
Kooter, I.
Williams, W.C.
George, I.J.
Vance, S.A.
Hays, M.D.
Higuchi, M.A.
Gavett, S.H.
DeMarini, D.M.
Jaspers, I.
Gilmour, M.I.

2021

Abstract Background: Open burning of anthropogenic sources can release hazardous emissions and has been associated with increased prevalence of cardiopulmonary health outcomes. Exposure to smoke emitted from burn pits in mili tary bases has been linked with respiratory illness among military and civilian personnel returning from war zones. Although the composition of the materials being burned is well studied, the resulting chemistry and potential toxicity of the emissions are not. Methods: Smoke emission condensates from either faming or smoldering combustion of fve diferent types of burn pit-related waste: cardboard; plywood; plastic; mixture; and mixture/diesel, were obtained from a laboratory scale furnace coupled to a multistage cryotrap system. The primary emissions and smoke condensates were analyzed for a standardized suite of chemical species, and the condensates were studied for pulmonary toxicity in female CD-1 mice and mutagenic activity in Salmonella (Ames) mutagenicity assay using the frameshift strain TA98 and the base substitution strain TA100 with and without metabolic activation (S9 from rat liver). Results: Most of the particles in the smoke emitted from faming and smoldering combustion were less than 2.5 µm in diameter. Burning of plastic containing wastes (plastic, mixture, or mixture/diesel) emitted larger amounts of partic ulate matter (PM) compared to other types of waste. On an equal mass basis, the smoke PM from faming combustion of plastic containing wastes caused more infammation and lung injury and was more mutagenic than other samples, and the biological responses were associated with elevated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels. Conclusions: This study suggests that adverse health efects of burn pit smoke exposure vary depending on waste type and combustion temperature; however, burning plastic at high temperature was the most signifcant contribu tor to the toxicity outcomes. These fndings will provide a better understanding of the complex chemical and com bustion temperature factors that determine toxicity of burn pit smoke and its potential hea. Chemicals / CAS diesel fuel, 68334-30-5; Air Pollutants; Mutagens; Particulate Matter.

Inhalation
Lung toxicity
Military burn pit smoke
Mutagenicity
Particulate matter
Environment & Sustainability
Urbanisation

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c1136b77-61c4-4c2d-9ef9-025e5a6403b0

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-021-00435-w

967634

BioMed Central Ltd

1743-8977

Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 18 (18), 1-18

article