Enhanced near-ultraviolet light sensitivity induced by coal combustor effluents in cultured mammalian cells.
The cytotoxicity of radiation from Westinghouse sun lamps (principal emission 290-340 nm) was enhanced by treatment of cells with nontoxic concentrations of condensate from the gaseous effluent from a pressurized, fluidized-bed coal combustor. The effect was similar to the photoenhanced cell killing induced by nontoxic concentrations of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, a carcinogenic derivative of substances produced by incomplete combusion of fossil fuels. Furthermore, light-dependent cell killing requiring the presence of the condensate was observed even when the sun lamp emission was filtered (principal emission 300-340 nm) to eliminate cell killing due to near-ultraviolet light alone, or when a black light near ultraviolet source (emission maximum, 365 nm) was used. It is suggested that coal combustor effluents may act synergistically with the short-wavelength component of sunlight.
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002477:Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003031:Coal; D006224:Cricetinae; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D003031:Coal; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene