Original article

Scand J Work Environ Health 1985;11(4):311-316    pdf

https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2224 | Issue date: Aug 1985

Testing for mutagens in filter samples from the work atmosphere of an aluminum plant.

by Krokje A, Tiltnes A, Mylius E, Gullvag B

Filter extracts of airborne particles from a Soderberg potroom and an anode paste plant were tested for mutagenicity by the Salmonella reversion assay. The extracts were mutagenic to strains TA100 and TA98, mainly after metabolic activation, but positive results were obtained also without S9 mix in strain TA98. These findings indicate that the particulate phase of air from the potroom and the anode paste plant of aluminum plants contain mostly indirect mutagens of both the base-pair substitution and frameshift type, and--to a less degree--frameshift mutagens. The relationship between concentration and mutagenicity was more positive for the potroom extract than for the anode paste plant extract.