PAL spectroscopy and testing for potential carcinogens

Chemical carcinogens are often strong electrophiles. The variation of the Ps formation probability versus concentration of the substance being tested in a solvent (modelling intracellular milieu) may serve as an indicator of carcinogenic properties of the solute. Being effectivescavengers of track electrons such chemicals strongly inhibit Ps formation. Tests carried out with a number of well-known chemical compounds indicate this expectation and indicate the possibility of using PAL spectroscopy in the search for carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic agents. It is further shown that carcinogenic activity of macro-samples seemto correlate well with their work function. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)