Genotoxicity of organic chemicals frequently found in the air of mobile homes

Abstract

The 19 chemicals most commonly detected in a study of mobile homes in Texas were tested for mutagenicity using a battery of bacterial test strains; the literature was searched to obtain additional information concerning the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of these chemicals. Formaldehyde was found to be present in 100% of the mobile homes and at the highest mean concentration (167 ppb). The remaining organic chemicals were all present at much lower mean concentrations (less than 10 ppb) and at varying frequencies (2-95%). Of the 19 chemicals tested for mutagenicity, only formaldehyde gave a positive response. A review of the literature revealed that 4 of the chemicals tested, formaldehyde, styrene, tetrachloroethylene and benzene, have been shown to be animal and/or human carcinogens. Thus, formaldehyde is not the only genotoxin present in the air of mobile homes but because it was present in the air of all mobile homes tested at much higher concentrations than the other organic chemicals, formaldehyde should be considered one of the major potential genotoxic hazards present in the air of mobile homes.