Presented thesis deals with the evaluation of air quality in Ostrava industrial area, especially with regard to highly concentrated suspended particles and sorbed on them toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Their above-limit concentrations are the main cause of negative effects on the health of humans and other organisms in one of the most outstanding European "hot- spot"regions, in the industrial agglomeration of Ostrava. The first part of the work is devoted to the evaluation of pollutant concentrations and contributions of identified types of air pollution sources in the wider influence area of a large industrial source in the Ostrava region. It was confirmed the concentrations of all pollutants show very significant inter-seasonal differences between the warm and cold parts of the year. The measured concentrations of PAHs in the cold season were 3 to 5 times higher than in the warm season. Less pronounced differences in concentration levels were seen between day and night samples. The air-pollution load was highest at the Radvanice site, compared to Vratimov and the background area of Poruba. The pollution caused by suspended particles originating from the emissions of the industrial complex in the annual scale contributes significantly to the resulting air quality image on the site, but is not an exclusive source. Other identified sources of the contributions to the PM2.5 concentrations are regional sources and operating seasonally sources (local heating). The second part of the thesis is an assessment of the character and regularities of air mass transmission in the ground-level layer of the troposphere in the Czech-Polish border area, as regional and long-range pollution transport plays a significant role, manifested in the resulting reduced air quality. The contribution of cross-border pollution sources is an important component of often alarming concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, especially during winter smog situations. It was shown within the northeast steady flow is dominated by the shift of higher concentrations of suspended particles from Poland to the Czech Republic. On the other hand, with the opposite prevailing direction of steady flow, particle concentrations on the Polish side of the territory are not increasing dramatically. At least half the year there are situations with variable wind direction, or low flow velocities during which the entire area on both sides of the border there are maximum concentrations of particles, including sorbed polyaromatics with the most serious health effects.

Health is closely related to air pollution, with increasing evidence showing the consequences of longand short-term exposure to, in particular, fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In 2008, the European Union adopted a directive (directive 2008/50/EC) to improve air quality and to regulate a number of air pollutants, including PM2.5, in the member states. This directive has recently been assessed by a socalled “fitness check”. The aim of this thesis is to analyse how air quality regarding fine particulate matter has developed in Sweden between 2000 and 2018 and to examine possible future scenarios for stricter requirements in renewed EU legislation, based on the outcomes of the “fitness check”. Data are analysed from monitoring stations throughout Sweden with a focus on the last ten years up to 2018. Average urban exposure levels are estimated to compare them with the average exposure index (AEI) defined in the directive and source sectorsfor PM2.5 are identified to determine the potential for measures to reduce concentrations. The results show that Sweden is not challenged by the current EU legislation, neither exceeding the current annual limit value of 25 µg/m3 nor requiring a reduction of the urban exposure levels. However, Sweden will need to take further initiatives if requirements are tightened up, for example if a daily ceiling of 25 µg/m3 is implemented or the annual limit decreased to 10 µg/m3 , both values based on WHO’s latest recommendations. Rural and urban concentrations show an exponentially decreasing trend from southern to northern Sweden. It is concluded that PM2.5 is dominated by long-distance transportation, but with significant local contributions in urban areas. Overall, concentrations reduced during the period studied, which is mainly due to a reduction in international emissions, occasionally combined with individual local measures. PM2.5 concentrations are, however, above natural background levels, which makes it worthwhile to decrease them further, with local action considered to be of particular importance from a health perspective. / Luftkvalitet är en viktig faktor inom hälsa, eftersom ett stort antal negativa effekter på kroppen har fastställts vid exponering av ökade halter partiklar (PM, eng. ”particulate matter”), bland annat, i luft. Både kort- och långtidsexponering av fina partiklar (PM2.5) har dokumenterade hälsofarliga konsekvenser, därför fastställde den Europeiska unionen under 2008 ett direktiv (direktiv 2008/50/EC) för att förbättra luftkvaliteten och reglera ett antal luftföroreningar, bland annat PM2.5-koncentrationerna i medlemsländerna. För att undersöka implementeringen av direktivet utfördes nyligen en så kallad ”fitness check”. Detta arbete ska analysera hur luftkvalitet i samband med fina partiklar har utvecklats i Sverige under perioden 2000 till 2018. Utöver det undersöks möjliga framtidsscenarier för skärpta krav i ett reviderat EU-direktiv vilka är baserade på slutsatserna från denna ”fitness check”. Data från mätstationer i hela Sverige används med fokus på de sista tio åren fram tills 2018. Genomsnittliga urbana exponeringshalter är uppskattade för att jämföra dessa med exponeringsindexet (AEI, eng. ”average exposure index”) som är definierat i direktivet. Källområden för PM2.5 är identifierade för att uppskatta behovet av potentiella åtgärder för att reducera koncentrationen av fina partiklar. Resultaten visar att Sverige når målsättningen i den befintliga EU-lagstiftningen eftersom varken årsmedelvärdet av 25 µg/m3 eller taket för exponeringsindexet överskrids vid mätstationerna. Om kraven skulle skärpas, till exempel vid implementeringen av ett dygnsgränsvärde av 25 µg/m3 eller om det årliga gränsvärdet skulle sänkas till 10 µg/m3 (i enlighet med WHO:s senaste rekommendationer), kommer det krävas ytterligare åtgärder. Den regionala och urbana koncentrationen uppvisar en exponentiellt avtagande trend från södra till norra Sverige. Slutsatsen kan dras att PM2.5 är dominerad av långdistanstransporter, dock med synliga lokala tillskott i de urbana områdena. Sammanfattningsvis har koncentrationerna reducerats under den observerade perioden, vilket framförallt kan antas vara baserat på en reducering av internationella emissioner, i vissa fall kombinerat med lokala åtgärder. PM2.5 koncentrationerna är fortfarande högre än den naturliga förekomsten, därför är det relevant ur ett hälsoperspektiv att även reducera dem i framtiden, framförallt på lokal nivå.

L'exposition à la pollution atmosphérique, notamment aux particules fines (PM₂.₅), représente un risque majeur pour la santé dans le monde entier, et d'autant plus dans les pays en développement.Le Nord du Liban est ainsi affecté par plusieurs sources de pollution d'origine anthropique, urbaine et industrielle. Pourtant, dans cette région, aucune étude ne s'est intéressée à l'impact des PM₂.₅ sur la santé publique. Il faut également souligner que les mécanismes de toxicité des PM₂.₅ ne sont pas totalement identifiés. Le but de ce travail est d'étudier la nature et l'impact sanitaire de la pollution atmosphérique particulaire dans le Nord du Liban. Nous avons procédé à une enquête épidémiologique, et prélevé des particules fines que nous avons caractérisées sur les plans physico-chimiques et toxicologiques. Deux régions ont été considérées dont une est située à proximité d'activités industrielles. L'étude épidémiologique et de perception menée dans les deux zones du Nord du Liban (310 questionnaires/zone traitée), a montré une relation entre gêne, maladies respiratoires et proximité des industries. Cette enquête a ainsi confirmé l'intérêt de mener une étude toxicologique dans cette région. Afin de renforcer les connaissances sur la toxicité pulmonaire des aérosols atmosphériques particulaires avec une attention toute particulière portée à l'étude de certains des mécanismes d'action suspectés d'être impliqués dans la cancérogénécité, les caractéristiques physico-chimiques et toxicologiques des particules fines (PM₂.₅₋₀.₃) prélevées sur les deux sites ont été étudiées. Les particules collectées ont montré une composition similaire sur les deux sites concernant les espèces majeures. La contribution des activités industrielles a été mise en évidence par des teneurs légèrement plus élevées de certains éléments traces, d'HAP et surtout par une teneur jusqu'à 100 fois plus élevée en dioxines. Nos résultats ont mis en évidence l'influence de nombreuses sources de combustion (diesel, essence, charbon et biomasse) ; la combustion de déchets et d'autres procédés industriels sont également suspectées. Un potentiel génotoxique et mutagène plus prononcé a été mis en évidence pour les particules collectées sur le site sous influence industrielle par rapport aux particules provenant du site sous influence rurale, à l'aide du test d'Ames en milieur liquide et le SOS chromotest. Les effets observés sont très probablement influencés par la fraction organique des particules. Afin d'approfondir la recherche des mécanismes génotoxiques des PM, des cellules bronchiques humaines (BEAS-2B) ont été exposées à différentes concentrations de particules. Les mécanismes de toxicité, tels que l'activation métabolique des HAP(CYP1A1) et les cassures double-brins (quantification de yH2AX par cytométrie de flux et in-cell western), ont été induits par les deux échantillons de PM₂.₅₋₀.₃ avec un effet plus prononcé pour les particules industrielles. Par ailleurs, les PM ont montré une tendance à perturber le fonctionnement du système de réparation de l'ADN (par l'expression des gènes OGG1, NTH1, APE1, NUDT1, DNMT1, MGMT, XPA et XRRC1, et l'expression des protéines PARP1, DNMT1 et OGG1). Les mécanismes de réparation des dommages de l'ADN ont ainsi été réprimés jusqu'à 48h d'exposition aux PM, notamment aux PM₂.₅₋₀.₃ collectées sous influence industrielle, et réactivés après 72h d'exposition. Ces dommages concernent les adduits encombrants à l'ADN, et ceux causés par le stress oxydant, des cassures des brins d'ADN et la méthylation. Nos résultats suggèrent des mécanismes d'action mutagènes, génotoxiques et épigénétiques impliqués dans la cancérogénécité des particules fines, en partie liés à la composition de la fraction organique. / Exposure to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), remains a major health risk, mainly in the developing countries. Northern Lebanon is affected by several sources of anthropogenic, urban and industrial pollution. However, no studies have examined the impact of PM₂.₅ on public health in this region. In addition, it should be noted that the toxicity mechanisms of PM₂.₅ are not fully identified. The aim of this work is to study the composition and the health impact of the atmospheric particulates in Northern Lebanon. An epidemiological survey was performed and fine particles were extracted and characterized physico-chemically and toxicologically. This study was conducted in two sites, one of which is influenced by industrial activities. Perception and epidemiological survet, conducted in two areas in Northern Lebanon, rural and industrial (310 treatable questionnaires/area), showed a relationship between annoyance, respiratory diseases and living in proximity to industrial activities. Moreover, results confirmed the interest in conducting a toxicological study in this region. Hence, to contribute to fulfill the gap of knowledge about the pulmonary toxicity of particulate matter and the mechanisms of action involved in the carcinogenicity, the study of physicochemical characteristics and toxicological endpoints of PM₂.₅₋₀.₃ from both sites were performed. Physicochemical analyses of the collected particles evidenced similar characteristics in major species. In particular, we have shown slightly higher levels of PAHs and trace metals and up to 100 times higher dioxins concentrations at the vicinity of industries. Our results evidenced the influence of numerous combustion sources (diesel, gasoline, coal and biomass burning) ; waste combustion and other industrial processes are also suspected. A more pronounced genotoxic and mutagenic potential was evidenced after exposure to particles collected at the vicinity of industries when compared to the rural ones, using the Ames fluctuation test and SOS chromotest. The effects of the collected particles are probably related to their organic composition. In order to assess the underlying toxic mechanisms, human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were then exposed to different concentrations of the sampled PM₂.₅₋₀.₃. Genotoxicity mechanisms such as metabolic activation of organic compounds (CYP1A1) and consecutive DNA damages such as DNA strands breaks (yH2AX quantification by flow cytometry analysis and in-cell western assay) were induced by the two samples of PM₂.₅₋₀.₃ , with a more pronounced effect of industrial particles. Moreover, PM showed tendency to alter the DNA repair process (OGGI, NTH1, APE1, NUDT1, DNMT1, MGMT, XPA, XRRC1 gene expression and PARP1, DNMT1, OGG1 proteins expression). DNA repair mechanisms were repressed up to 48h of exposure to PM especially to the industrial influenced PM₂.₅₋₀.₃ and reactivated after 72h of exposure. The DNA damages involve bulky DNA adducts, oxidative stress damages, DNA strand breaks and methylation. These results suggest mutagenic, genotoxic and epigenetic mechanisms of action involved in the carcinogenicity of fine particles, partly related to their organic composition.