Mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress induced by desert dust in rat alveolar macrophages.

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM), including PM from resuspension of soils and dusts, increases the risk for respiratory diseases. However, the exact mechanism of PM-mediated damage to the lungs remains unclear. Due to recent increases in the frequency of dust storms in many areas, we examined the cytotoxic effects of soil-dust samples collected in an arid zone in Israel on rat lung macrophages.