Influence of ambient and endogenous H2O2 on reactive oxygen species concentrations and OH radical production in the respiratory tract

Abstract

Air pollution is a major health risk, but the underlying chemical mechanisms are not yet well understood. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is the most abundant ROS in the human body. Here, we show that H₂O₂ concentrations in the ELF may be primarily determined by the release of endogenous H₂O₂ and the inhalation of ambient gas-phase H₂O₂, while the chemical production of H₂O₂ through inhaled PM2.5 is less important. The production of hydroxyl radicals (˙OH), however, was strongly correlated with Fenton chemistry of PM2.5 in the model calculations. Hence, our findings suggest that the adverse health effects of PM2.5 may not be primarily related to direct chemical production of H₂O₂, but rather to the conversion of peroxides into more reactive species such as the ˙OH radical, or the stimulation of biological ROS production. The analysis highlights remaining uncertainties in the relevant physical, chemical and biological parameters, suggesting a critical reassessment of current paradigms in elucidating and mitigating the health effects of different types of air pollutants.