Identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) collected through passive air sampling and their effects <i>in vitro</i> on human pulmonary epithelial cell lines

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air is mainly linked to anthropogenic activities, particularly fossil fuel use and residential wood combustion, posing risks to human health. This study evaluated atmospheric PAHs in Temuco, Chile, characterized their spatial and seasonal distribution, and investigated the <i>in vitro</i> effects of environmentally relevant PAH mixtures on human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Passive air samplers equipped with polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed at two urban sites (Universidad Católica de Temuco and Padre Las Casas) and one rural site (Maquehue sector). Sampling covered summer and fall-early winter, with seasonal assessment conducted in Padre Las Casas. PAHs were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and cell viability was assessed using the MTS assay after exposure to defined PAH mixtures. Spatial variability was observed, with phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene predominating in urban areas and increasing during winter, while dibenzo(a,h)anthracene was detected exclusively in the rural sector. In BEAS-2B cells, PAH exposure caused a dose and time-dependent reduction in viability, reaching significance at 20 and 28 µM after 48 and 72 h. These findings highlight PAH persistence and potential adverse effects on respiratory epithelial cells, underscoring the need to reduce population exposure.