Investigations on the carcinogenic burden by air pollution in man. Intratracheal instillation studies with benzo[a]pyrene in a mixture of Tris buffer and saline in Syrian golden hamsters.

Syrian golden hamster received intratracheal instillations of 0.125, 0.25, 0.50 or 1.0 mg benzo[a]pyrene (B[A]P) in a mixture of Tris buffer and physiological saline once weekly for life. Papillary polyps, squamous cell papillomas and carcinomas developed in both the larynx and trachea. In addition, bronchiogenic adenomas, adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas were induced in the lung. The highest incidence of respiratory tract tumours (83%) was seen in hamsters receiving 0.25 mg B[a]P. The results of these investigations are statistically evaluated and discussed.