From Homes to Cells: Assessing Genome Damage Induced by Indoor PAH Mixtures

Indoor air pollution is an important public health concern, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among the key hazardous contaminants. This study evaluated the genotoxic potential of environmentally relevant PAH mixtures using an integrated approach combining human biomonitoring and in vitro and in vivo models. PAH mixtures were formulated based on concentrations measured in household indoor air and subsequently tested in mechanistic experimental systems. DNA damage was assessed using the comet and micronucleus assays in peripheral blood cells of human biomonitoring participants (children aged 5–18 years), divided into cases with diagnosed respiratory conditions and healthy controls), in vitro in human peripheral blood cells as well as lung (A549) and liver (HepG2) cell lines exposed to PAH mixtures, and in vivo in peripheral blood, lung, and liver cells of Wistar rats. Children with respiratory conditions exhibited significantly higher levels of genome damage compared with healthy controls. Experimental models further demonstrated concentration- and dose-dependent increases in DNA damage, with particularly pronounced effects in lymphocytes in vitro and liver cells in vivo. Overall, these findings provide new evidence linking indoor PAH exposure to genomic instability and highlight the value of integrated experimental and human biomonitoring approaches for improved indoor air risk assessment and protection of public health.

Supported by the Horizon Europe (#101057497 EDIAQI)