Mutagenic activity of complex air pollutants in Silesia.

Continuous monitoring of air over the highly industrialized region of Silesia, Poland, shows high pollution with free sedimenting particulate matter, gaseous compounds and metals. Partial chemical analysis of extracts from airborne particulate material revealed over a hundred polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); 15 major PAHs were evaluated quantitatively at 20 measuring points during summer and winter periods. Both direct and indirect mutagenic activity in extracts of particulate material was observed, with seasonal variations in activity. The direct mutagenic activity was higher in winter samples than in summer ones. Summer samples exhibited high mutagenic activity after metabolic activation of extracts.