Novel mobile methodology for on-site real time diesel generators fumes cytotoxicity assessment

Abstract

Electricity is an essential and critical component for contemporary life. An energy crisis is emerging worldwide because electricity demand and consumption exceeds production capacity. Lebanon a country that has suffered from consecutive wars in addition to a crippling financial crisis lacks the capacity to provide 24-h electricity supply. This led to private operators stepping in to overcome the electricity shortfall using diesel generators. These private entities generated electricity using diesel power generators without proper governmental legislative emissions controls. In this study, the generated emissions from diesel generators were assessed for various gases and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)s. The biological assessment was conducted using a novel designed system (based on a dynamic in vitro methodology and human derived immortalized cell cultures) deployed on site to assess diesel generator emissions cytotoxicity. The emissions were collected, chemically profiled, and biologically assessed for toxicity, genotoxicity, and apoptotic potential. The results indicated a dose cytotoxicity along with significant DNA damage and apoptosis. The presented research findings highlighted the urgent need for development of national strategies to regulate, properly service and maintain diesel generators in Lebanon.