General approach to the biological analysis of complex mixtures

The study of potential health effects of combustion effluents involves identifying the substances present and estimating the probable health hazards of each. Unfortunately, this second step cannot be done by using present techniques. Approximations of health hazards by bacterial and human cell assays are being used to set priorities for further biological studies and to suggest needs for modifications of combustion systems. The assumptions underlying this approximation are discussed, and several examples of combustion effluents are reviewed.