OBJECTIVETo evaluate the toxic and carcinogenic potential of ozone alone or in combination with 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and/or dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

METHODSMale and female B6C3F1 mice were exposed, through inhalation, intravenous administration and diet, to 0.5 ppm of ozone, 1.0 mg/kg of NNK and 5000 ppm of DBP, individually and in combination for 16 and 32 weeks.

RESULTSNo treatment-related death was seen, but significant differences in body and organ weights between control and treated mice were observed during the study. No incidence of lung tumor incidence was recorded in mice exposed to either ozone alone or combined treatment. Oviductal carcinomas were observed in female mice exposed to ozone or DBP alone for 16 weeks and ozone in combination with NNK and DBP for 32 weeks.

CONCLUSIONAlthough ozone alone and in conjunction with NNK and/or DBP does not induce lung cancer under our experimental conditions, they induce oviductal carcinomas in B6C3F1 mice.

Adrenal Glands ; drug effects ; pathology ; Animals ; Carcinogens, Environmental ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Dibutyl Phthalate ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Nitrosamines ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Organ Size ; Ovary ; drug effects ; pathology ; Ozone ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Sex Characteristics ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology