Mutation of human cells by kerosene soot

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fraction of a kerosene soot induced forward mutation in human diploid lymphoblasts when coincubated with Sprague-Dawley rat liver postmitochondrial supernatant. Two components of the kerosene soot extract, benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and cyclopenta[cd]pyrene (CP), were also tested. TP was not mutagenic at the concentration found in the soot extract, although it was active at higher concentrations. The amount of CP present could account for approximately 8% of the total mutation observed with the soot. The results were compared to data obtained previously in a similar mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium. The protocol described permits the facile assay of mutation at the hgprt locus in human lymphoblasts; such mutation is induced by compounds of complex mixtures requiring mixed-function oxygenase activity for metabolism to genetically active derivatives.