10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Investigating the Effects of Cookstove Emissions on Ocular and Cancer Cells
BEDIA KARAKOCAK, Sameer Patel, Nathan Ravi, Pratim Biswas, Washington University in St Louis
Abstract Number: 292 Working Group: Aerosols and Health - Connecting the Dots
Abstract 2.7 billion people burn solid fuels for cooking and heating using stoves, with major health consequences. Solid fuel combustion emissions increase the prevalence of illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer; however, their effect on eyes is underexplored. In this novel study, three healthy ocular cell lines (corneal, lens, and retinal epithelial cells) and a cancer cell line were exposed to gas and liquid phase combustion emissions from applewood and coal.
In the first part of the study, three healthy ocular cell lines underwent controlled exposures on three separate occasions to filtered air, applewood, and coal smoke from incomplete combustion for one hour in a controlled chamber. In the second part, particles formed as a result of biomass combustion were collected on a filter. The ocular and cancer cells were then exposed to the filter extracts for 24 hours.
The viability of the cell lines exposed to stove emissions was assessed by measuring real-time cell attachment behavior and cell metabolic activity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was also quantified. For both phases, the results indicated that coal emissions compromised the viability of ocular cells more than applewood emissions. Interestingly, the cancer cells, although their viability was not compromised, generated 1.7 to 2.7 times more ROS than healthy cells. This acute exposure study provides compelling proof that biomass combustion emissions compromise the viability of ocular cells and increase ROS generation. The increased ROS generation was fatal for ocular cells, but it promoted the growth of cancer cells.