Based on the study of Beijing PM10 bioreactivity with the newly developed plasmid DNA assay method, and analysis for trace elements of PM10, the cause of plasmid DNA damage by PM10 was investigated. The study showed that plasmid DNA oxidative damages by PM10 are of difference in different seasons at various areas. The concentrations of TM50 of PM10 in whole samples respectively collected at urban and comparison sites during winter were 900 μg mL?1 and 74 μg mL?1, while those in their corresponding soluble fractions were 540 μg mL?1 and 86 μg mL?1. In contrast, TM50 contents of PM10 from summer whole samples at urban areas and comparison sites were 116 μg mL?1 and 210 μg mL?1, whereas those in their soluble fractions were 180 μg mL?1 and 306 μg mL?1. The difference of bioreactivity of Beijing PM10 resulted from the variation of trace elements. The oxidative damage of plasmid DNA caused by Pb, Zn, As in PM10 (whole sample) was relatively strong. TM50 and Mn, V, Zn display stronger correlation in the soluble fraction. It implies that Zn could be the major trace element in Beijing PM10 which contributes to oxidative damage to plasmid DNA.
