[Comparative studies of the contamination of vegetable food products by carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the USSR and East Germany].

The content of benz(a)pyrene (BP) in the soil of the agricultural regions of the USSR, away from the intense sources of industrial wastes ranges within 1-10 microgram/kg and depends on the soil type. In the vicinity of the industrial enterprises, the BP content in the soil may be tens thousand times higher. The baseline natural content of BP in the green parts of the vegetables constitutes 1-5 microgram/kg, while in the grain, seeds and fruit it is 10-100 times lower.

[Effect of nitrosoethylurea on sarcomagenesis induced by a foreign body].

Subcutaneous administration to rats of an intact cellophane plate gave rise to sarcomas in 60% of cases, the latent period being 16.5 month. Meanwhile administration of minced cellophane did not produce tumors.

[Stimulating effect of certain chemical carcinogens on gastric organ cultures].

Results of measuring the relative growth of the area surrounding the explants of nonibred rat embryonal stomach were studied after transplacental exposure to benz(a)pyrene (BP) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The embryonal tissue of the rat stomach is marked by high sensitivity to the carcinogens. This was manifested in better survival of the test cultures.