Interactions of chemical components in ambient PM 2.5 with influenza viruses

The significance of this work is that ambient PM is a direct transmission mode for influenza virus infection to the human alveolar epithelium. The concentration of PM was 11.7 ± 5.5 μg/m in Taipei during 24 December 2019-13 January 2020. Approximately 79% of inhaled PM is able to reach the upper-to-lower airway, and 47% of PM is able to reach the alveolar epithelium for influenza virus infection. Influenza A and B viruses were detected in PM on 9 days, and the influenza A/H5 virus was detected on 15 days during the study period. FL and Pyr were negatively correlated with the influenza A virus. D(ah)P and Acp were positively correlated with the influenza B and A/H5 viruses, respectively. Cd, V, and Zn were positively correlated with the influenza A, B, and A/H5 viruses, respectively. Next, influenza A, B, and A/H5 viral plasmids interacted with carbon black, H O , DEPs, and UD. We observed that H O significantly decreased levels of complementary DNA of the three influenza viruses. DEPs and UD significantly decreased influenza A and A/H5 viral levels. In conclusion, chemicals in PM may play vital roles in terms of viable influenza virus in the atmosphere.