[Mutagenicity of environmental air in Cracow monitored by the Tradescantia stamen hair system]

Abstract

Three times since 1983, groups of plants of Tradescantia clone 4430 have been exposed to ambient air on various sites of the Cracow area. The highest value of mutation frequency was noted in May 1986 after the Chernobyl accident. A slightly lower level of mutation frequency but comparable in value was riched in 1983 in vicinity to a pharmaceutical factory in result of chemical mutagen emissions. In various periods of 1987 temporary differences between the levels of mutations were observed on various sites in Cracow. There was also noted a significant decrease in the mean mutation level in comparison with the levels observed in 1983 and 1986.