Promoter and Mutagenic Activity of Particulate Matter Collected from Urban Air

Urban air particulate samples were collected on a quartz fiber filter with a High Volume Air Sampler, which was placed on the roof of the National Institute of Public Health, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Those samples were tested in both transformation assay using Bhas42 cells (Bhas assay) as a bioassay for cancer promoters and in the Ames microsuspension method as for initiators. Good dose-response relations were observed with both testing methods, and the samples showed mutagenicity and promoter activity. A comparison per particle weight between the samples collected in spring and autumn indicated that the value was higher in autumn samples, suggesting that mutagenic substances and cancer promoters might be polluting the air and be correlated with each other. Therefore, to monitor the carcinogenic-related activity of air pollutants, not only the mutagenicity assay but also bioassays for cancer promoters are required.