STUDIES ON THE TUMORIGENICITY OF EXTRACTS AND THEIR FRACTIONS OF AIRBORNE-PARTICULATES WITH THE SUBCUTANEOUS TEST IN THE MOUSE

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 170  (1-2) , 17-34
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter was collected on filters at various times in Duisburg, Duesseldorf, Muenster and in 2 rural areas of West Germany. After extraction with organic solvents the extract was partly fractionated and analyzed for BaP [benzo(a)pyrene] and 7 other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The carcinogenicity was examined with the s.c. test using 7000 mice. The amount of extract required was small. Extracts from suspended matter with a BaP content of 0.37-1.1 .mu.g caused tumor rates of 30%. The total extract of atmospheric particulates resulted in a definite dose-response relationship when the part of the compounds not belonging to the PAH was low. The PAH fractions derived from the suspended matter collected in different cities showed the same carcinogenic potency when adjusted to the same BaP level by means of concentration or dilution. The PAH was most important with respect to the carcinogenic potency of an extract from suspended matter. Numerous compounds (polar substances) which were not PAH were carcinogenic to some extent; some were able to inhibit the carcinogenic effect. The dose-response relationship of BaP was less when all of the substances of an extract were present. When the dose of an extract was low, the importance of BaP became less. A fixed ratio concerning the effect of BaP within an extract cannot be given. In order to describe the carcinogenic effect due to an extract from airborne particulates, polar substances must be studied.