Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental Evidence for the Carcinogenicity of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollutants

  • Conference paper
Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution and Human Cancer

Part of the book series: Monographs ((ESO MONOGRAPHS))

Abstract

The role of air pollution in human lung cancer has been difficult to assess or quantitate due to the many confounding exposures and factors that influence human cancer (see the chapters by Pershagen and Simonato in this volume). This is especially true for cancers of the respiratory tract where the vast majority of cancers have been related to cigarette smoking. Much of our understanding of the potential human risk from air pollution is derived from experimental cancer studies on both individual chemicals and mixtures of air pollutants [1]. This chapter discusses the experimental evidence for the carcinogenicity of air pollutants in long-term animal cancer studies and from short-term bioassays. The evidence is organised and discussed in three categories of exposures: a) individual chemicals found as air pollutants (e.g., formaldehyde), b) mixtures emitted from air pollution sources (e.g., automotive emissions, tobacco smoke, and industrial sources), and c) mixtures of air pollution taken from ambient indoor air or outdoor air (e.g., urban air particulate matter).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Higginson, J, Jensen, OM: Epidemiological review of lung cancer in man. In: Mohr U, Schmahl D, Tomatis L (eds) Air Pollution and Cancer in Man. IARC Scientific Publications No 16. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 1977 pp 169–189

    Google Scholar 

  2. IARC: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Suppl 7. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity: An Updating of IARC Monographs Volumes 1–42. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 1987 pp 17–34

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wilbourn J, Haroun L, Heseltine E, Kaldor J, Partensky C, Vainio H: Response of experimental animals to human carcinogens: An analysis based upon the IARC Monographs Programme. Carcinogenesis 1986 (7): 1853–1863

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Tomatis L, Aitio, A, Wilbourn, J, and Shuker L: Human carcinogens so far identified. Jpn J Cancer Res 1989 (80): 795–807

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Huff JE, McConnell EE, Haseman, JK, Boorman, GA, Eustis SL, Schwartz BA, Rao GN, Jameson CK, Hart LG, and Rail D: Carcinogenesis studies: results of 398 experiments on 104 chemicals from the US National Toxicology Program. Ann NY Acad Sci 1988 (534): 1–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. IARC: Approaches to Classifying Chemical Carcinogens According to Mechanism of Action. IARC Internal Technical Report No 83/001, Lyon 1983

    Google Scholar 

  7. IARC: Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis in Risk Identification. IARC Internal Technical Report No 91/002, Lyon 1991

    Google Scholar 

  8. Montesano, R, Bartsch, H, Vainio, H, Wilbourn, J, Yamasaki, H (eds) Long-Term and Short-Term Assays for Carcinogenesis — A Critical Appraisal. IARC Scientific Publications No 83. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 1986

    Google Scholar 

  9. Miller EC, Miller JA: The mutagenicity of chemical carcinogens: Correlations, problems, and interpretations. In: Hollaender A (ed) Chemical Mutagens: Principles and Methods for Their Detection, Vol 1. Plenum Press, New York 1971 pp 83–94

    Google Scholar 

  10. Bishop JM: The molecular genetics of cancer. Science 1987 (235): 305–311

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Weinberg R (ed) Oncogenes and the Molecular Origins of Cancer. Monograph 18, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY 1990

    Google Scholar 

  12. Butterworth, BE: Consideration of both genotoxic and nongenotoxic mechanisms in predicting carcinogenic potential. Mutat Res 1990 (239): 117–132

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Weinstein BI: Mitogenesis is only one factor in carcinogenesis. Science 1991 (251): 387–388

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Butterworth B, Slaga T, Farland W, McClain W (eds): Chemically Induced Cell Proliferation: Implications for Risk Assessment. Wiley-Liss Inc. New York 1989

    Google Scholar 

  15. Trosko JE and Chang CC: Non-genotoxic mechanisms in carcinogenesis: role of inhibited intercellular communication. In: Hart RW and Hoerger FD (eds) Carcinogen Risk Assessment, Banbury Report 31. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 1988 pp 139–174

    Google Scholar 

  16. Waters MD, Auletta A: The GENE-TOX program: genetic activity evaluation. J Chem Inf Comput Sci 1981 (21): 35–38

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Yamasaki H: Multistage carcinogenesis: implications for risk estimation. Cancer Metastasis Rev 1988 (7): 5–18

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Ashby J: The prospect for a simplified internationally harmonized approach to the detection of possible human carcinogens and mutagens. Mutagenesis 1986 (1): 3–16

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. McCann J, Choi E, Yamasaki E and Ames BN: Detection of carcinogens as mutagens in the salmonella/microsome test: Assay of 300 chemicals. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1975 (72): 5135–5139

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Shelby MD and Zeiger E: Activity of human carcinogens in the salmonella and rodent bone-marrow cytogenetics tests. Mutation Res 1990 (234): 257–261

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ashby J and Morrod, RS: Detection of human carcinogens. Nature 1991 (352): 185–186

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Bartsch H: Predictive value of mutagenicity tests in chemical carcinogenesis. Mutat Res 1976 (38): 177–190

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Sugimura TS, Sato M, Nagao T, Yahagi T, Matsushima Y, Seino M, Takeuchi and Kawachi T: Overlapping of carcinogens and mutagens. In: Magee PN, Takayama S, Sugimura T and Matsushima T (eds) Fundamentals of Cancer Prevention. University Park Press, Baltimore, MD 1976 pp 191–213

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ashby J and Tennant RW: Chemical structure, Salmonella mutagenicity and extent of carcinogenicity as indicators of genotoxic carcinogenesis among 222 chemicals tested in rodents of the U.S. NCI/NTP. Mutat Res 1988 (204): 17–115

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Tennant RW, Margolin BH, Shelby MD, Zeiger E, Haseman JK, Spalding, J, Caspary W, Resnick M, Stasiewicz S, Anderson B, Minor R: Prediction of chemical carcinogenicity in rodents from in vitro genetic toxicity assays. Science 1987 (236): 933–941

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Brockman HE and DeMarini DM: Utility of short-term tests for genetic toxicity in the aftermath of the NTP’s analysis of 73 chemicals. Environ Mol Mutagen 1988 (11): 421–435

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bartsch H and Malaveille C: Prevalence of genotoxic chemicals among animal and human carcinogens evaluated in the IARC Monograph Series. Cell Biol Toxicol 1989 (5): 115–127

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Lave LB, Ennever FK, Rosenkranz HS and Omenn GS: Information value of the rodent bioassay. Nature 1988 (336): 431–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Claxton LD, Stead AG and Walsh D: An analysis by chemical class of Salmonella mutagenicity tests as predictors of animal carcinogenicity. Mutat Res 1988 (205): 197–225

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ashby J: The separate identities of genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens. Mutagenesis 1988 (3): 365–366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Gold LS, Slone TH, Backman GM, Eisenberg S, DaCosta M, Wong M, Manley, NB, Rohrbach L, and Ames BN: Third chronological supplement to the carcinogenic potency database: Standardized results of animal bioassays published through December 1986 and by the National Toxicology Program through June 1987. Environ Health Perspect 1990 (84): 215–286

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Garrett, NE, Stack, HF, Gross, MR, Waters, MD: An analysis of the spectra of genetic activity produced by known or suspected human carcinogens. Mutat Res 1984 (134): 89–111

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ames BM, Magaw R and Gold LS: Ranking possible carcinogenic hazards. Science 1987 (236): 271

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ames BN, Magaw R and Gold LS: Response to letter: Risk assessment. Science 1987 (237): 235

    Google Scholar 

  35. Anderson EL and the Cancer Assessment Group of the US Environmental Protection Agency: Quantitative approaches in use to assess cancer risk. Risk Anal 1983 (3): 277–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Crump KS: An improved procedure for low-dose carcinogenic risk assessment from animal data. J Environ Pathol Toxicol 1981 (5): 675–684

    Google Scholar 

  37. Armitage P and Doll R: A two-stage theory of carcinogenesis in relation to the age distribution of human cancer. Br J Cancer 1957 (11): 161–169

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Moolgavkar SH and Knudson AG: Mutation and cancer: A model for human carcinogenesis. JNCI 1981 (66): 1037–1052

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Thorslund TW, Brown CC, and Charnley G: Biologically motivated cancer risk models. Risk Anal 1987 (7): 109–119

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Committee 17: Environmental mutagenic hazards. Science 1975 (187): 503–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Tornqvist M and Ehernberg L: Risk estimation of urban air pollution: Information sources and methods. Environ Int 1985 (11): 401–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Lewtas J: Development of a comparative potency method for cancer risk assessment of complex mixtures using short-term in vivo and in vitro bioassays. Toxicology and Industrial Health 1985 (4): 193–203

    Google Scholar 

  43. Albert R, Lewtas, J, Nesnow, S, Thorslund, T and Anderson, E: Comparative potency method for cancer risk assessment: Application to diesel particulate emissions. Risk Analysis 1983 (3): 101–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Lewtas J: Complex mixtures of air pollutants: Characterizing the cancer risk of polycyclic organic matter (POM). Environ Health Perspect 1992 (100) in press

    Google Scholar 

  45. Graedel TE, Hawkins DT, Claxton LD: Atmospheric Chemical Compounds: Sources, Occurrence, and Bioassay. Academic Press Inc, Orlando, FL 1986 p 732

    Google Scholar 

  46. IARC: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volumes 1–46. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon

    Google Scholar 

  47. US Environmental Protection Agency: Cancer Risk from Outdoor Exposure to Air Toxics. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. EPA-450/2–89

    Google Scholar 

  48. Lewtas J: Genotoxicity of complex mixtures: Strategies for the identification and comparative assessment of airborne mutagens and carcinogens from combustion sources. Fundam Appl Toxicol 1988 (10): 571–589

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Claxton LD: Assessment of bacterial bioassay methods for volatile and semivolatile compounds and mixtures. Environ Int 1985 (11): 375–382

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Searle CE (ed) Chemical Carcinogens. ACS Monograph No 173. American Chemical Society, Washington DC 1976

    Google Scholar 

  51. IARC: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds, Part 1: Chemical, Environmental and Experimental Data, Vol 32. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 1982–1987 pp 17–34

    Google Scholar 

  52. IARC: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds, Part 4: Bitumens, Coal-tar and Derived Products, Shale Oils and Soots, Vol 35. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 1985

    Google Scholar 

  53. Hoffman D, Wynder EL: Environmental respiratory carcinogenesis. In: Searle CE (ed) Chemical Carcinogens. ACS Monograph 173. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC 1976 pp 324–365

    Google Scholar 

  54. Lewtas J: Combustion emissions: Characterization and comparision of their mutagenic and carcinogenic activity. In: Stich HF (ed) Carcinogens and Mutagens in the Environment. Volume V: The Workplace. CRC Press, Boca Raton, F 1985 pp 59–74

    Google Scholar 

  55. IARC: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Diesel and Gasoline Engine Exhausts and Nitroarenes, Vol 46. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 1989

    Google Scholar 

  56. Guilmette RA, Johnson NF, Newton GJ, Thomassen DG, and Yeh HC: Risks from radon progeny exposure: What we know, and what we need to know. Ann Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1991 (31): 69–601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. US Environmental Protection Agency: Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders. Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC 20460. May 1992, SAB Draft, EPA/600/6–90/006B

    Google Scholar 

  58. US Department of Health and Human Services: The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Office on Smoking and Health, Rockville, MD 20857,1986

    Google Scholar 

  59. Wynder EL and Hoffman D: Tobacco and Tobacco Smoke: Studies in Experimental Carcinogenesis. Academic Press, New York 1967

    Google Scholar 

  60. Lewtas, J, Claxton, L, Mumfortd, J and Lofroth G: Bioassay of Complex Mixtures of Indoor Air Pollutants. IARC Monograph on Indoor Air Methods. IARC, Lyon 1992 pp 65–75

    Google Scholar 

  61. Leiter J, Shimkin MB, Shear MJ: Production of subcutaneous sarcomas in mice with tars extracted from atmospheric dusts. JNCI 1942 (3):155–165

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Kotin P, Falk HL, Mader P, Thomas M: Aromatic hydrocarbons. 1. Presence in the Los Angeles atmosphere and the carcinogenicity of atmospheric extracts. Arch Indust Hyg 1954 (9):153–163

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Hueper WC, Kotin P, Tabor EC, Payne W, Falk HL, Sawiciki E: Carcinogenic bioassays on air pollutants. Arch Pathol 1962 (74):89–116

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Alfheim I, Lofroth G, Moller M: Bioassay of extracts of ambient particulate matter. Environ Health Persp 1983 (47):227–238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Matsushita H, Goto S, Takagi Y: Human exposure to airborne mutagens indoors and outdoors using mutagenesis and chemical analysis methods. In: Waters MD, Daniel FB, Lewtas J, Moore MM, Nesnow S (eds) Short-Term Bioassays in the Analysis of Complex Environmental Mixtures VI. Plenum Press, New York 1990 pp 33–56

    Google Scholar 

  66. Barale R, Migliore L, Cellini B, Francioni L, Giogelli F, Barai I, Loprieno N: Genetic toxicology of airborne particulate matter using cytogenetic assays and microbial mutagenicity assays. In: Waters MD, Daniel FB, Lewtas J, Moore MM, Nesnow S (eds) Short-Term Bioassays in the Analysis of Complex Environmental Mixtures VI. Plenum Press, New York 1990 pp 57–71

    Google Scholar 

  67. Schuetzle D, Lewtas J: Bioassay-directed chemical analysis in environmental research. Anal Chem 1986 (58):1060A–1075A

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Lewis CW, Baumgardner RE, Claxton LD, Lewtas J, Stevens RK: The contribution of woodsmoke and motor vehicle emissions to ambient aerosol mutagenicity. Environ Sci Technol 1988 (22):968–971

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Tokiwa H, Morita K, Takeyoshi H, Takahashi K, Ohnishi Y: Detection of mutagenic activity in particulate air pollutants. Mutat Res 1977 (48):237–248

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Tice RR, Costa DL, Schaich KM: Genotoxic Effects of Airborne Agents, Vol 25, Environmental Science Research. Plenum Press, New York 1980

    Google Scholar 

  71. Claxton LD, Kleindienst TE, Perry E and Cupitt LT: Assessment of the mutagenicity of organic air pollutants before and after atmospheric transformation. In: Waters MD, Daniel FB, Lewtas J, Moore MM, Nesnow S (eds) Short-Term Bioassays in the Analysis of Complex Environmental Mixtures VI. Plenum Press, New York 1990 pp 103–111

    Google Scholar 

  72. Kleindienst TE, Shepson PB, Edney EO, Claxton LD, Cupitt LT: Wood smoke: measurement of the mutagenic activities of its gas-and particulate-phase photooxidation products. Environ Sci Technol 1986 (20): 493–501

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Kamens RM, Rives GD, Perry JM, Bell DA, Paylor RF, Goodman RG, Claxton LD: Mutagenic changes in dilute wood smoke as it ages and reacts with ozone and nitrogen dioxide: An outdoor chamber study. 1984 Environ Sci Technol 1984 (18,7):523–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD 68A, Research Triangle Park, N.C., 27711, USA

    Joellen Lewtas

Authors
  1. Joellen Lewtas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150, cours Albert-Thomas, 69372, Lyon Cedex 08, France

    Lorenzo Tomatis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Lewtas, J. (1993). Experimental Evidence for the Carcinogenicity of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollutants. In: Tomatis, L. (eds) Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution and Human Cancer. Monographs. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78197-1_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78197-1_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-78199-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-78197-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation