Mutagenicity of airborne particles related to meteorological and air pollution parameters

Abstract

Many studies indicate that aerosols in the ambient atmosphere may have mutagenic properties. Most of these investigations were conducted in industrial or urban areas or near specific sources. The purpose of our studies was to assess the variation in mutagenicity of airborne particulate matter using the Salmonella/microsome test, over a prolonged period of time. In addition to 30 samples collected simultaneously at Wageningen (rural location) and Terschelling (background location), a further 95 samples were collected in Wageningen. At both locations mutagenicity varied markedly with time. Our studies indicate that the level of mutagenicity follows a yearly cycle, with the highest activity being found in winter. In winters of different years prevalent mutagenicity differed considerably. Mutagenicity was positively correlated between locations, pointing to large-scale processes and not to local sources. In the present study a relation between wind direction, air trajectories and mutagenicity was established. Differences within a short period of time could be explained by the trajectory of the sampled air mass. Furthermore, mutagenic activity was correlated with commonly registered air pollution components; multiple regression shows that the air pollution parameters SO 2, NO 2, NO, CO and O 3 together account for 70% of the variation in direct mutagenicity and 80% of the variation in indirect mutagenicity. SO 2 and NO 2, and SO 2, NO 2 and CO were significantly associated with the variation in direct and indirect mutagenicity.