Bioassay-directed chemical analysis and detection of mutagenicity in ambient air of the coke oven

In the present study, we summarize the results of studies on the mutagenic potential of the main fractions and subfractions of extractable organic mat erial (EOM) in the ambient air at the workplaces of the coke oven. The obje ctive of our experiments was to apply the Bioassay-Directed Chemical Analys is (with the use of the Ames test) for the identification of the difference s in the mutagenicity of these fractions, in relationship to the complex mi xture of EOM in occupational air. From the evaluation of results, it is pos sible to deduce the following conclusions: (1) The comparison of the mutage nicity in the main fractions (basic, acidic, neutral) demonstrates the exis tence of differences in mutagenic potential. Of the total mutagenicity, 20. 4% is in the basic fraction, 25.4% in the acidic fraction and 54.2% in the neutral fraction. (2) In general, 90.1% of the mutagenicity found in the ba sic, acidic and neutral fractions together was associated with the requirem ent of metabolic activation in vitro (+ S9), In the case of the neutral fra ction, it was 51.8%. (3) These results also suggest that frameshift mutatio ns are the major component (53.8%) of the total mutagenicity of the main fr actions. (4) With regards to the mutagenicity of organic compounds in the n eutral fraction it appeared that genotoxicants of its subfractions (slightl y and moderately polar and aromatic) play the main role. Carcinogenic polyc yclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and genotoxic nitrocompounds play an impo rtant role as determinants or the mutagenic potential of complex mixtures o f harmful compounds in ambient air. This is confirmed first by the results of short-term bacterial tests. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.