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Title: The development and evaluation of an electronic emission spectral index which can be related to the carcinogenic hazard of the respirable portion of coal-tar pitch volatiles. Final report 1 Jun 71-31 May 72

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5131872

The possibility of relating an electronic emission spectral index to the carcinogenicity of respirable portions of coal-tar pitch volatiles is investigated. Photophysical properties are determined for 34 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and their heterocyclic analogs. Statistical analysis of the results indicates that there is no significant correlation, with the exception of fluorescence lifetimes, between these properties and the known carcinogenic activity of the compounds studied. An electronic emission spectral index for carcinogenic hazards based on these photophysical properties does not exist for the compounds studied. An index based on fluorescence lifetimes could potentially be used to evaluate the carcinogenic hazard of an untested pure compound, but such an index would not be applicable to mixtures. Testing the photodynamic activities of the compounds using the crustacean Artemia salina shows good statistical correlation between photodynamic activity and carcinogenicity. This method, although untested on mixtures, should be applicable to air samples and other polynuclear aromatic mixtures.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5131872
Report Number(s):
PB-82-152216
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English