The report gives results of chemical analyses and cellular biological assays performed on size-classified particulate material collected using a new series cyclone sampling train at nine industrial sites. The exercise was formulated to determine performance of the train and whether the chemical analyses or the bioassays, alone or in combination, were sufficient to characterize the hazards associated with particulate emissions. This program lends support to the view that size-classified particulate matter is needed for the various chemical or biological tests. Elemental analysis and partial organic characterization of the particulate samples were performed. A cellular bioassay, using rabbit alveolar macrophages, was used to provide a rank ordering of particulate samples in terms of their observed cytotoxic activity. A bacterial screening technique, using several histidine deficient Salmonella typhimurium strains, was used to study the mutagenic potential of the particulate samples. Attempts to correlate observed biological activity with chemical analyses are provided.

Prepared by the Mitre Corporation, McLean, Va., under contract no. 68-02-1859, task 5, ROAP no. 21ADD-BG, program element no. 1AB013. Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-75).