The influence of traffic-related air pollution TRAP in primary schools and residential proximity to traffic sources on histone H3 level in selected Malaysian children

• Main Authors: Suhaimi, Nur Faseeha, Jalaludin, Juliana, Abu Bakar, Suhaili
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/95499/1/The%20influence%20of%20traffic-related%20air%20pollution%20TRAP%20in%20primary%20schools%20and%20residential%20proximity%20to%20traffic%20sources%20on%20histone%20H3%20level%20in%20selected%20Malaysian%20children.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/95499/; https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7995
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

This study aimed to investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and histone H3 modification among school children in high-traffic (HT) and low-traffic (LT) areas in Malaysia. Respondents’ background information and personal exposure to traffic sources were obtained from questionnaires distributed to randomly selected school children. Real-time monitoring instruments were used for 6-h measurements of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Meanwhile, 24-h measurements of PM2.5-bound black carbon (BC) were performed using air sampling pumps. The salivary histone H3 level was captured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HT schools had significantly higher PM10, PM2.5, PM1, BC, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and TVOC than LT schools, all at p < 0.001. Children in the HT area was more likely to get higher histone H3 levels (z = −5.13). There were positive weak correlations between histone H3 level and concentrations of NO2 (r = 0.37), CO (r = 0.36), PM1 (r = 0.35), PM2.5 (r = 0.34), SO2 (r = 0.34), PM10 (r = 0.33), O3 (r = 0.33), TVOC (r = 0.25), and BC (r = 0.19). Overall, this study proposes the possible role of histone H3 modification in interpreting the effects of TRAP exposure via non-genotoxic mechanisms.