[Content of metals in different diameter airborne particles and effect on micronuclei formation in human lymphocytes].

Using a five stage sampling scheme, airborne particles were collected in a residential area of Taiyuan city. The contents of four metals, including Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr in different diameter airborne particles were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mutagenicity of the extracts of airborne particles was investigated by means of Cytokinesis-blocking(CB) method. The results showed that the pollution of airborne particles in the residential area was very serious. The smaller the airborne particles are the more it contains metal elements. The metal content of the particles less than 1.1 microns is the highest among different diameter airborne particles. The extracts of airborne particles induced a significant increase in micronuclei formation to a certain degree, especially the particles less than 1.1 microns increased in micronuclei formation. It is suggested that the extracts of different diameter particles are with strong mutagenicity.