Genotoxic and epigenotoxic effects in mice exposed to concentrated ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) from São Paulo city, Brazil

Background The Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo has a unique composition of atmospheric pollutants, and positive correlations between exposure and the risk of diseases and mortality have been observed. Here we assessed the effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on genotoxic and global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation changes, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes, in tissues of AJ mice exposed whole body to ambient air enriched in PM2.5, which was concentrated in a chamber near an avenue of intense traffic in Sao Paulo City, Brazil.