Evaluation of low-dosage environmental mutagens with a long-term, cultured epithelial cell line

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s001289900133· OSTI ID:458676

Li, C S; Lin, R H ^[1]

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1. National Taiwan Univ., Taipei (Taiwan, Province of China)

Polycyclic or polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of compounds consisting of at least two fused aromatic rings and are common environmental contaminants in soil, water, and air. Additionally, some PAHs are considered to be mutagenic, carcinogenic, and cytotoxic compounds. BaA (Benz(a)anthracene) and BaP (Benzo(a)pyrene) are the two major unsubstituted PAHs identified by the USEPA as priority pollutants. BaA is suspected to be a human carcinogen by the US Department of Health and Human Services, whereas BaP is regarded as an animal carcinogen. It is estimated that the emission concentrations of BaA and BaP from mainstream cigarette smoke are 20-70 ng per g cigarette and 20-40 ng per g cigarette, respectively, with an average sidestream to mainstream weight ratio of 3. In addition, BaA and BaP are also the main emissions from diesel particulate extracts with mean concentrations of 500 ppm and 40 ppm, respectively. From a recent report concerning PAHs in urban areas all over the world, the airborne concentration of BaP was typically found to be in the range of 1-20 ng/m{sup 3} in Europe and 1 ng/m{sup 3} in the U.S.A. For BaA, the concentrations commonly ranged from I to 50 ng/m{sup 3} in Europe and from 0.1 to 1 ng/m{sup 3} in the U.S.A. Therefore, the long term exposure to these two compounds may cause health effects. This study examines long-term cultured epithelial cell lines exposed to BaP or BaA, in vitro, and the frequency of HGPRT mutants. 19 refs., 3 figs.

• OSTI ID: 458676
• Journal Information: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 56; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ANIMAL CELLS
EPITHELIUM
EVALUATION
GENETIC EFFECTS
MUTAGENS
MUTATIONS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
URBAN AREAS