MUTAGENICITY AND CLASTOGENICITY OF GAS STOVE EMISSIONS IN BACTERIAL AND PLANT-TESTS

The aim of this research was to study the gaseous and particulate emis sions of genotoxic substances during cooking with two types of methane stoves (a new one and an old one). The particulates were sampled both with a cascade impactor air sampler and an impinger with ice trap and analyzed by two bacterial mutagenicity tests (Ames and Kado tests) an d by HPLC for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Gaseous emission s were studied in situ using the Ames test, a clastogenicity pla nt te st (Tradescantia-micronucleus test), and in an automated system for ch emical analyses. Clear indirect mutagenicity was found only with the K ado test (TA98-S9) in extracts of particulates emitted from the old me thane stove and collected with the impinger. Similar mutagenicity (TA9 8+S9) was also found for the finest fraction of particulates (<0.5 um) collected from both stoves. Gaseous emissions of both stoves caused c lastogenicity in the in situ experiments with the Tradescantia-micronu cleus test. The physicochemical analyses of the emissions showed also the presence of very fine particulates and trace amounts of PAH. The e xposure of these genotoxins could be particularly important for occupa tionally exposed individuals in homes and businesses and for susceptib le subjects living indoors for long periods (infants, children, the si ck, and the elderly). (C) 1998 WileyLiss, Inc.