Toxicity of aromatic hydrocarbons on normal human epidermal cells in vitro.

Abstract

Outgrowth cultures of normal human epidermis were continuously exposed for 4 days to the aromatic hydrocarbons 3-methylcholanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene at a concentration of 1 µg/ml. After exposure to the hydrocarbons, the amount of epithelial outgrowth was markedly reduced in 10 of 13 3-methylcholanthrene and 14 of 14 benzo[a]pyrene cultures when compared with that present before treatment. Giant cells and a more disorderly pattern of growth were also observed in the treated cultures weeks earlier than similar occurrences in controls. Fibroblast growth was unaffected. There was no evidence of malignant transformation.