Identification of DNA damage as a result of exposure of rats to diesel engine exhaust.

Owing to the concern regarding genotoxic agents which may be present in diesel engine emissions we have studied the effect, with respect to DNA damage, of the exposure of F344 rats to such emissions for approximately 31 months at levels of particulate material of 7.1 mg/m3. Rats were killed and the DNA extracted from the right lung lobe and coded prior to analysis for DNA adducts by the 32P-postlabeling technique. Although a gradation of adduct intensity was found from high levels to none being detectable, distinction could be made between exposed and unexposed groups based upon the intensity of DNA adducts present.