Assessing Aerosol Toxicity

Ralf Zimmermann, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Rostock and director of the research unit CMA at the Helmholtz Centre Munich, presented a plenary lecture at Analytica USA in Columbus, Ohio. His talk, “Air Pollution and Health: Effect-oriented analysis PM2.5 by innovative mass spectrometric and bioanalytical approaches,” occurred on Thursday, September 11, from 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM in the Conference Room.

Zimmermann opened by stressing that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) remains one of the most pressing environmental health risks worldwide (1). Understanding the toxicological consequences of airborne particles requires both advanced chemical characterization and biologically relevant exposure models. His presentation highlighted two complementary innovations in this field: air–liquid interface (ALI) cell culture methods and real-time single-particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) (1).

Using ALI exposure systems, Zimmermann’s team evaluated how atmospheric aging alters the toxicity of emissions from residential wood combustion and passenger car exhaust (1). Results revealed that fresh emissions already pose measurable risks, but photochemically aged particles exert markedly stronger effects. Aged wood combustion aerosols showed reduced levels of parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) yet increased concentrations of oxidized PAHs, correlating with enhanced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in both cell cultures and animal models (1). Similarly, while modern gasoline vehicles equipped with particle filters emitted relatively benign fresh exhaust, aging processes generated secondary particles and reactive oxygenated species that significantly amplified toxic responses in lung cell systems (1). These findings underscore the critical role of atmospheric transformation in shaping health outcomes and point to limitations in current emission control strategies (1).

In the second part of his lecture, Zimmermann introduced advances in SPMS technology, which enables real-time, single-particle analysis of inorganic and organic constituents (1). This approach provides detailed information on mixing states and toxicant distribution, offering a powerful tool for linking aerosol composition with biological interactions within lung tissue.

LCGC International sat down with Zimmermann to talk about his research. In the below clip, Zimmermann provides an overview of his talk.

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Reference

1. Analytica USA, Air Pollution and Health: Effect-oriented Analysis PM_2.5 by Innovative Mass Spectrometric and Bioanalytical Approaches. Analytica USA. Available at: https://aus2025.mapyourshow.com/8_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?scheduleid=26 (accessed 2025-09-10).