EVALUATING THE TUMORIGENIC POTENCY OF POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS

This research explored some underlying features of a newly developed m ethod that allows for a model-free ranking of the carcinogenic potenti al of hazardous chemicals. The basis of the ranking technique is the i ntegration of a wide variety of carcinogen bioassays and ultimately th e comparison of the potencies of different compounds on a common scale . The value of the approach is that it allows for a ranking of the haz ards represented by a list of compound when calibrated to a reference, such as benzo(a)pyrene or other chemical for which exposure guideline s are well developed. The presented research efforts indicate that the ranking of a variety compounds is independent of the reference compou nd used to standardize the information (p less-than-or-equal-to 0.02 i n 14 of the 15 replicates tested). The ranking technique is demonstrat ed using a variety of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. The method de scribed can be of assistance to industrial hygienists and other health professionals who are required to set exposure limits for the workpla ce or elsewhere, prior to the substance undergoing extensive agency, c ommittee, or association review.