Correlations between mutagenic activity of organic extracts of airborne particulate matter, NOx and sulphur dioxide in southern Germany: results of a two-year study

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2005, Vol.12 (1), p.10-20
• Main Authors: Erdinger, Lothar, Dürr, Matthias, Höpker, Kai-Achim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Air pollution; Air quality; Air quality measurements; Air sampling; Airborne particulates; Ames test; Bacteria; Biofiltration; Cold season; Dust; Environmental indicators; Environmental Monitoring; Filters; Germany; Metabolic activation; Metabolic rate; Metabolism; Mutagenicity; Mutagenicity Tests; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - analysis; Nitrogen dioxide; Nitrogen Dioxide - analysis; Nitrogen oxides; Nitroreductase; Outdoor air quality; Particulate matter; Photochemicals; Revertants; Salmonella typhimurium; Salmonella typhimurium - drug effects; Salmonella typhimurium - genetics; Samplers; Seasons; Statistical analysis; Sulfur; Sulfur dioxide; Sulfur Dioxide - analysis; Summer; Vehicle emissions; Winter
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1065/espr2004.04.196

Among other substances, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are parameters which are routinely measured to describe basic air quality. Organic extracts of airborne particulate matter contain mutagenic chemical compounds of different origins. The aim of the study was to find correlations between routine monitoring data and mutagenic activity of organic extracts of simultaneously drawn samples. Specimens were collected over a period of two years at 8 sampling sites in south-west Germany. Simultaneously, concentrations of NO, NO2, and SO2 were measured on-line within the framework of the official air monitoring network of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Dust samples were collected for biotesting using high volume air samplers equipped with glass fibre filters. After sampling was completed, filters were extracted and samples were prepared for biological testing. Mutagenic activity was tested by means of the plate incorporation assay (Ames test) using S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 tester strains. During the first year of the study, all tests have been performed with and without metabolic activation. Additionally, a series of tests has been performed in parallel with TA98 and TA98NR. Comparison of Ames test data obtained with and without metabolic activation indicates no statistically significant difference between both methods. Therefore, during the second year of the study, all tests have been performed without metabolic activation. Average yearly activities at the sampling sites were between 1 and 27 Revertants per m3 (Rev/m3). High activities were preferably found at congested sites (Karlsruhe, up to 95 Rev/m3). However, peak values of over 100 Rev/m3 were found in other places where pollution by traffic is significantly lower. The reason for these high level values is not evident. Tests performed using TA98NR tester strain indicate a significant share (average 31%) of compounds requiring activation by nitroreductase for mutagenic activity. Average mutagenic activity can be correlated to routine monitoring parameters. Comparison of averaged data for particular sampling sites indicates significant correlation between nitric oxide and mutagenic activity in TA98 (r2=0.90), while correlation between nitrogen dioxide (0.84) or sulphur dioxide (0.52) and mutagenic activity is weaker. For TA100, correlations are generally weaker than for TA98. Comparison of data for mutagenic activity and routine monitoring data of distant sites being sa