Nitroarenes of photochemical origin: a possible source of risk to human health.
Nitrated polynuclear aromatics (NPAH) have been recognized as mutagenic even without enzymatic activation. NPAH have been found in the urban air of the U.S.A. and Western Europe. Their detection in the atmosphere has been related mainly to in situ photochemical production. In this study, the ubiquity of NPAH in the air is presented despite their rare and scarce occurrence in emissions released by mobile and stationary sources. NPAH seem to effectively contribute to both the direct and indirect mutagenicity of air soot (in European countries more than in the U.S.A.). Moreover, they can be taken as a suitable index of the occurrence of reactive nitrogen compounds in the air.
Cecinato
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Instituto sull'Inquinaments Atmosferico, CNR, Monterotondo Scalo (Rome) Italy.
Zagari
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D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000235:genetics
D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D009584:Nitrogen