Mutagenicity of diesel-exhaust particle extracts

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6807671

Clark, C R

A review is presented of current knowledge of the genetic toxicity of diesel exhaust particle associated organics as derived from in vitro mutagenicity assays (principally the Salmonella or Ames bioassay). It is concluded that organic solvent extracts of diesel particulate exhaust contain substances that are mutagenic in bacterial mammalian cell systems. The mutagenic response to diesel particle extracts is lower in mammalian cells than in bacteria, presumably due to differences in metabolic capacity. The fate of the particle associated organic material, once deposited in the respiratory tract, remains a critical uncertainty. In vitro dissolution studies suggest that the organic materials may slowly leave the particles in the biological environment, but reactive mutagens may be quickly detoxified by binding to non-specific macromolecules, or via engulfment by pulmonary macrophages. There is no reason to suspect that the genetic toxicity of diesel exhaust is markedly influenced by engine design. Driving pattern does not markedly alter the emission of mutagenic chemicals from new cars, but urban driving may produce exhaust with a higher genetic toxicity in older cars. The mutagenicity of diesel exhaust particle extracts is not markedly different from gasoline engine exhaust. However, the emission of genotoxic chemicals in the exhaust may be 10 to 50 times higher in diesel vehicles because of higher particle emission rates and larger amounts of organic material associated with the particles. Included in this document is a section on the role of mutagenicity testing in defining the genetic toxicity of diesel exhaust, a description of the tests used and factors to be considered when interpreting data from short-term bioassays.

• Research Organization: Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (USA). Inhalation Toxicology Research Inst.
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76EV01013
• OSTI ID: 6807671
• Report Number(s): LMF-96; ON: DE83000223
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560301* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Cells-- (-1987)
560302 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIESEL ENGINES
DIESEL FUELS
ENGINES
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HEAT ENGINES
IN VITRO
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MAMMALS
MICROORGANISMS
MUTAGENESIS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
WASTES