Mutagenicity of Ambient Air at Selected Sites in the United States Using Tradescantia as a Monitor

摘要

To fulfill the need for monitoring ambient airborne chemicals, the Tradescantia stamen hair system has been adapted for use in a mobile laboratory. Controlled laboratory exposures of Tradescantia flower buds to several gaseous mutagens were positive with significant responses at < 0.1 ppM of 1,2-dibromoethane. Mutational response increases linearly with duration of exposure up to about 21 days for both physical (radiation) and chemical mutagens. Hence the stamen hair system achieves its greatest sensitivity with chronic exposures typical of those in populated areas near industrial pollution sources. A mobile monitoring vehicle was assembled utilizing controlled-environment growth chambers for both ambient air fumigations and concurrent clean-air control exposures. Industrial sites monitored by the mobile laboratory were selected because of known increased coincidence of human cancer and/or high levels of pollutants in the vicinity. The ambient air at all sites near petroleum refineries gave positive mutagenic responses in the Tradescantia stamen hairs. Smelters and chemical industries showed more varied responses. Preliminary analyses indicate that the highest biological activity was associated with highest levels of vapor-phase organics, especially at the New Jersey site. (ERA citation 05:019709)