Characterization of automotive emissions by bacterial mutagenesis bioassay: a review.

Due to the growing numbers of diesel passenger automobiles in the United States, there has been an expanded effort to understand the health effects of airborne pollutants arising from increased automotive emissions. Bacterial mutagenicity testing has played an important role in the characterization of genotoxic effects and components arising from these combustion products. This review examines published material concerning the bacterial mutagenicity of automotive emissions. In addition, the paper explores factors that modify the mutagenicity of mobile-source emissions, the use of bacterial tests for the comparison of various mobile source emissions, and the use of bacterial tests to examine the phenomena of mammalian uptake and metabolism.