Abstract |
The assessment of complex mixtures of environmental pollutants requires new interdisciplinary strategies. The integration of bioassay methodologies into these strategies is an important tool which provides direct evidence of the toxicity of a mixture. Short-term genetic bioassays are now widely used in the cancer assessment of complex mixtures. New and emerging interdisciplinary methodologies for the assessment of complex mixtures using bioassays are illustrated by the EPA's Integrated Air Cancer Project. The goals of the project are to identify the major airborne carcinogens and their emission sources, and to improve the methodology and data available for human exposure and risk assessment from airborne carcinogens. The research effort is focused primarily on characterizing the impact of complex mixtures of products of incomplete combustion, including gaseous, semi-volatile, and particle-bound organic species. (Copyright (c) 1989 Princeton Scientific Publishing Co., Inc.) |