US EPA

1167655 

Journal Article 

Induction of Malignant Cell Transformation In Vitro by Extract and Fractions of Airborne Particulate Matter 

Seemayer, NH; Manojlovic, N; Tomingas, R 

1986 

Yes 

Journal of Aerosol Science
ISSN: 0021-8502
EISSN: 1879-1964 

NIOSH/00167196 

17 

3 

356-360 

Samples of airborne particulate matter, extracted and fractionated from city smog, were analyzed for cell transformation activity on tissue culture cells, in order to study their carcinogenic potential. Samples of city smog were collected in the heavily industrialized Rhine-Ruhr area of the Federal Republic of Germany employing a special low volume air sampler which allowed collection of particles smaller than 10 microns in diameter. Extraction by methanol yielded the global extract. Cyclohexane and methanol fractions were obtained by liquid/liquid partitioning. The cyclohexane fraction was further fractionated with an aluminium-oxide column into the propanol fraction, which contained heterocyclic compounds and a fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Growing cultures of Syrian-hamster kidney cells, exposed to various concentrations of extract or fractions of the city smog, were infected with Simian-Virus-40 (SV40). After 4 weeks of culture, the numbers of transformed colonies were determined. The strongest enhancement of SV40 induced cell transformation was seen with the global extract, which showed a dose related enhancement up to 28 fold. The fractions produced less marked enhancements of cell transformation, with the methanol fraction being the most potent fractional enhancer, followed in declining sequence by the cyclohexane, PAH, and propanol fractions. Of note, the methanol fraction contained polar substances, such as phenols, aldehydes and carbonic-acid, but no PAH. Dilutions as high as those corresponding to airborne particulates from less than 1 cubic meter of air also showed significant enhancement of cell transformation. The authors conclude that airborne particulate matter of city smog contains potent carcinogens, as evidenced by strong in-vitro enhancement of malignant cell transformation. 

DCN-156384; Air contamination; Environmental pollution; Particulate dust; Airborne particles; Air sampling; Carcinogenicity; Alcohols; Oxides; In vitro studies; Laboratory animals; Cell cultures