Evaluation of Methods for Predicting the Toxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Mixtures

Abstract

Risk assessments of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures are hindered by a lack of reliable information on the potency of both mixtures and their individual components. This paper examines methods for approximating the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures. PAHs were isolated from a coal tar and then separated by ring number using HPLC. Five fractions (A-E) were generated, each possessing a unique composition and expected potency. The toxicity of each fraction was measured in the Salmonella/mutagenicity assay and the Chick Embryo Screening Test (CHEST). Their abilities to induce ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and to inhibit gap junction intercellular communication in rat liver Clone 9 cells were also measured. In the Salmonella/mutagenicity assay, fractions were predicted to have potencies in the order C > D > E > B > A. Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for fractions A-E were in the order E > or = D > C > B > A. TEF values were 20,652, 20,929, 441, 306, and 74.1 micrograms of BaP equiv/g, respectively. A lack of agreement between assay-predicted potencies and chemical analysis-predicted potencies was observed with other assays and other methods of calculation. The results demonstrate the limitations of using a single method to predict the toxicity of a complex PAH mixture.

Validation of an in vitro model for assessment of androstenedione hepatotoxicity using the rat liver cell line clone‐9

“…Although clone-9 cells have no constitutive CYP1A or CYP3A activity (Boess et al, 2003), these activities are inducible in these cells (Reeves et al, 2001). In agreement with Boess et al (2003), no EROD or BOROD activity was detected in untreated control clone-9 cells.…”

Source contributions and spatiotemporal characteristics of PAHs in sediments: Using three‐way source apportionment approach

“…The TEFs were 0.1 (BaA), 0.01 (Chr), 0.1 (BbF), 0.1 (BkF), 1 (BaP), 0.1 (IcdP), and 1 (DahA) [28,29]. The total TEQ for each site was calculated as follows:…”

Indoor Exposure and Health Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Public Facilities, Korea

“…Carcinogenic potential assessment or inhalation unit risks were calculated based upon body carcinogenic data collected for PAH non-carcinogenic assessment. Since PAHs are mixtures consisting of individual PAHs, complex toxicity assessment is required (Reeves et al, 2001;Collins et al, 1998;Nisbet and LaGoy, 1992). Therefore, the risks were calculated in the study using two methods: a method using TEF so that individual PAH shows relative carcinogenic power regarding BaP (Yang et al, 2007), and a method using the toxic equivalent quotient (TEQ) of PAHs using the TEF of individual PAHs (2) (Chen and Liao, 2006).…”