genotoxicitry, toxicity, industrial contamination, city air

The aim was to evaluate the acute toxic and genotoxic effects in the context of meteorological data and the detected amounts of PM10 particles, heavy metals content and PAHs levels. The air samples were collected at the ?Hot spot? monitoring in the centre of the Ostrava city. In all the air samples analyzed, the amounts of benzo(a)pyrene, arsenic and nickel exceeded the limit values. The results documented a high toxic and genotoxic effects of the contaminated air. The air was contaminated with both direct and indirect mutagens. The air contamination in the Ostrava city centre represented a high risk factor exhibiting a chronic effect that negatively affected the health state of inhabitants.