Development of an analytical marker for the prediction of biological activity of bitumen fumes and bitumens using the FIA-DMSO set-up. Experimental set-up and correlation with mutagenicity and carcinogenicity.

During the hot application of bitumen-containing materials, as, for instanc e, in road caving and roofing, fumes are emitted which contain trace amount s of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). The PAC levels are very low, and from the available epidemiological studies, there is no evidence that huma n exposure to bitumen or its fumes results in any cancer risk to the workfo rce. For comparative purposes we are trying to identify a laboratory "marke t" far bitumen fume condensates (BFCs) which will give a correlation with b iological activity and hence carcinogenic potential. Previously it was foun d that he determination of total 3-6-ring PACs by DMSO extraction followed by gas chromatographic analysis, whose use is well established for mineral oils, showed promise as a marker for BFCs as well.