Characterization of automotive emissions by bacterial mutagenesis bioassay: A review

Abstract

Due to the growing numbers of diesel passenger automobiles in the United States, there has been an expanded effort to understand the health effects of airborne pollutants arising from increased automotive emissions. Bacterial mutagenicity testing has played an important role in the characterization of genotoxic effects and components arising from these combustion products. This review examines published material concerning the bacterial mutagenicity of automotive emissions. In addition, the paper explores factors that modify the mutagenicity of mobile-source emissions, the use of bacterial tests for the comparison of various mobile source emissions, and the use of bacterial tests to examine the phenomena of mammalian uptake and metabolism.

Bioassay-directed fractionation and salmonella mutagenicity of automobile and forklift diesel exhaust particles.

“…As demonstrated by extensive studies, much of the mutagenic activity of diesel exhaust is due to PAHs and nitroaromatics, especially nitropyrenes (Austin et al 1985;Claxton 1981Claxton , 1983Lies et al 1986;Nakagawa et al 1983;Rosenkranz 1996;Tokiwa and Ohnishi 1986). An important role for direct-acting acid/neutral compounds that are not nitropyrenes has also been noted (Crebelli et al 1991).…”

“…The chemical composition of DEPs is influenced by the age and type of engine, fuel composition, load characteristics, lube oil components, presence and efficiency of control devices, and sampling procedures (Claxton 1983;Mauderly 2001;Rosenkranz 1996;Schuetzle 1983). Given that these factors vary for the SRM and A-DEP samples, we reasoned that the biologic activities of these DEPs were likely to be different.…”

Sample characterization of automobile and forklift diesel exhaust particles and comparative pulmonary toxicity in mice.

“…For many years, the health effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) have been investigated (Lewtas 1982); however, full identification of the chemical components responsible for the biologic effects and a detailed understanding of the underlying mechanisms remain incomplete (Mauderly 2001;Rosenkranz 1996). Comparisons among health effects studies of DEPs can be complicated by variability in the chemical composition of the particles, which is influenced by the age and type of engine, fuel composition, load characteristics, lube oil components, presence and efficiency of emissions control devices, and sampling procedures (Claxton 1983;Mauderly 2001;Rosenkranz 1996;Schuetzle 1983). Consequently, the biologic activities of samples generated and collected under different conditions are likely to be different.…”

Lung cancer risk in male workers occupationally exposed to diesel motor emissions in Germany

“…Also, the lack of quantitative information on historical exposure to diesel motor emissions precludes the evaluation of a dose±response relationship, an important factor among Hill's criteria of causality [Hill, 1965]. In the light of biological plausibility though, making a causal inference seems to be justi®ed, as (1) diesel motor emissions have been shown to induce lung cancer in laboratory animal studies [Heinrich et al,1986;Pott et al, 1990;Mauderly, 1994], (2) they contain both, highly mutagenic substances [Claxton, 1983;Ball et al,1990] and (3) recognized human respiratory carcinogens [IARC, 1989], and (4) increased levels of human peripheral blood cell DNA adducts are associated with occupational exposure to DME [Nielsen et al,1996a,b]. Furthermore, epidemiological ®ndings are consistent.…”