Mutagenicity of combustion emissions from a biomedical-waste incinerator
The Ames Salmonella typhimurium (TA98) assay was used to determine the mutagenicity of stack fly ash from a medical/pathological waste incinerator. Stack fly ash also collected from a boiler plant adjacent to the incinerator and ambient air particles (upwind and downwind of the incinerator and boiler facilities) were collected and bioassayed. Downwind particulate mutagenicity (revertants per cubic meter of air) was significantly greater than upwind particulate mutagenicity. Mutagenic emission-rate estimates (revertants per kilogram waste feed) for the incinerator and boiler were less than estimates for ash and downwind ambient-air particulate samples collected during incinerator auxiliary burner failure and demonstrated significant increase in mutagenicity compared to samples collected during routine incinerator operation.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Health Effects Research Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 5512496
- Report Number(s):
- PB-89-222798/XAB; EPA-600/D-89/093
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Some findings on mutagenicity in airborne particulate pollutants
Source apportionment of mutagenic activity of fine particle organics in Boise, Idaho
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
FLY ASH
PARTICULATES
MUTAGENESIS
HOSPITALS
SOLID WASTES
INCINERATORS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
BOILERS
MUTAGENS
SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM
AEROSOL WASTES
ASHES
BACTERIA
BUILDINGS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
MICROORGANISMS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
RESIDUES
SALMONELLA
WASTES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)