A NEW APPROACH TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF SOURCES OF AIRBORNE MUTAGENS AND CARCINOGENS - RECEPTOR SOURCE APPORTIONMENT MODELING

Receptor source apportionment modeling is discussed as a new and an alternative approach to the identification of the sources of airborne mutagens and carcinogens. These models estimate the contributions of various source types to pollutant levels at a sampling or receptor site through variations in the concentrations and composition of the ambient aerosol. Receptor models for several carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the New York City atmosphere have been developed and are presented as examples of the potential application of receptor modeling techniques to airborne carcinogens and mutagens. The requirements, advantages, and limitations of this method are discussed.