[Impact of different solvents on results of genotoxicity studies of airborne dust taken from work environments].

Mutagenicity and toxicity of extracts of airborne particulate matters, sampled during electrolysis of aluminium, cooking of coal and low-temperature carbonization processes, were determined by the Salmonella plate incorporation assay with strains TA98 and TA100. Organic materials were extracted with benzene, cyclohexane or toluene from airborne particles by sonication. The results showed that: a) the extracts were mutagenic only to strain TA98 (without and after metabolic activation); b) there was a similar efficiency of applied solvents in extraction of mutagenic substances detectable with TA98, and c) the toluene extracts were most toxic towards test bacteria TA98.