Concentrations of 34 unsubstituted and methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs and Me-PAHs) and AhR-mediated activities in settled dust samples were determined by a combination of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and an in vitro reporter gene assay (PAH-CALUX). The levels of Σ34PAHs and bioassay-derived benzo[a]pyrene equivalents (CALUX BaP-EQs) were significantly higher in workplace dust from informal end-of-life vehicle dismantling workshops than in common house dust and road dust. In all the samples, the theoretical BaP-EQs of PAHs (calculated using PAH-CALUX relative potencies) accounted for 28 ± 19% of the CALUX BaP-EQs, suggesting significant contribution of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists and/or mixture effects. Interestingly, the bioassay-derived BaP-EQs in these samples were significantly correlated with not only unsubstituted PAHs with known carcinogenic potencies but also many Me-PAHs, which should be included in future monitoring and toxicity tests. The bioassay responses of many sample extracts were substantially reduced but not suppressed with sulfuric acid treatment, indicating contribution of persistent AhR agonists. Cancer risk assessment based on the CALUX BaP-EQs has revealed unacceptable level of risk in many cases. The application of bioassay-derived BaP-EQs may reduce underestimation in environmental management and risk evaluation regarding PAHs and their derivatives (notably Me-PAHs), suggesting a consideration of using in vitro toxic activity instead of conventional chemical-specific approach in such assessment practices.

通过气相色谱-质谱联用和体外报道基因测定（PAH-CALUX）的组合测定了沉降的尘埃样品中34种未取代和甲基化的多环芳烃（PAHs和Me-PAHs）的浓度以及AhR介导的活性。Σ34PAHs和生物测定衍生的苯并[ a]的水平非正式报废车辆拆解车间的工作场所扬尘中] py的当量（CALUX BaP-EQs）显着高于普通房屋扬尘和道路扬尘。在所有样品中，PAHs的理论BaP-EQs（使用PAH-CALUX相对效能计算）占CALUX BaP-EQs的28±19％，表明芳烃受体（AhR）激动剂和/或混合物效应有重要贡献。有趣的是，这些样品中的生物测定衍生的BaP-EQs不仅与具有已知致癌力的未取代PAHs显着相关，而且还与许多Me-PAHs显着相关，应将其包括在未来的监测和毒性测试中。许多样品提取物的生物测定反应均大大降低，但没有被硫酸处理抑制，表明持久的AhR激动剂的贡献。基于CALUX BaP-EQ的癌症风险评估表明，在许多情况下，风险水平是不可接受的。应用生物测定衍生的BaP-EQ可以减少对PAH及其衍生物（特别是Me-PAH）的环境管理和风险评估中的低估，建议在此类评估实践中考虑使用体外毒性活性代替常规的化学特异性方法。