Genotoxicity induced in cultured Chinese hamster cells exposed to natural or synthetic crude oils and near ultraviolet light.

ABSTRACT

Cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were incubated with dilutions of natural or synthetic crude oils and subsequently exposed to near ultraviolet light (NUV). Although the magnitude of photo-induced cytotoxicity in CHO was essentially independent of the source of the oil (within a factor of two), two shale oils were exceptionally high in photo-induced mutagenic activity eliciting a response 10-12 times the observed natural background mutation frequency. Other shale oils, natural crude oils and a solvent refined coal medium distillate blend were weaker or negative in photo-induced mutagenic activity. Hydrotreatment of a photoactive shale oil, although eliminating the mutagenic potential, did not reduce the oil's cytotoxic potential.