Figure 5.

Epithelium thicknesses in all groups expressed as TSP, PM3, PM0.1 and AR. Values are expressed as means ± SE. Urban particulate matter (PM_2.5) at a higher exposure concentration induced a decrease in the epithelium thickness (p=0.01), while TSP and AR did not induce any change. TSP, total suspension particles collected from an electrostatic precipitator of a steel plant; 0.1 PM2.5, urban particulate matter 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter at a 0.1 mg/mL concentration; 3.0 PM2.5, urban particulate matter 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter at a 3.0 mg/mL concentration.