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counted to determine the number of revertants per mass of organics. The authors concluded that open burning of tires, wood, and plastic results in exceptionally high mutagenic emission factors and that "open burning, regardless of the feed stock or fuel, results in greater mutagenic emission factors than does controlled combustion provided by various types of incinerators or boilers" (Lemieux and DeMarini, 1992). The authors found similar mutagenic emission factors of semi-volatile organics produced by the large (chunk) and small (shred) tire pieces. They also found that the mutagenic emission factors for the particulate organics were much greater than those for organics. The report's final conclusion serves as a potentially serious warning: "Considering the (a) relatively high mutagenic potency of the particulate organics, (b) high mutagenic emission factors, and (c) presence of many mutagens/carcinogens, especially PAHs, in the effluent from the open burning of tires, such burns pose a genuine environmental and health hazard" (Lemieux and DeMarini, 1992). 2.3 FIELD SAMPLING - AIR MONITORING DATA NEAR TIRE FIRES Field sampling data from uncontrolled open tire fires is lacking. This is a result of the inherent difficulties encountered in obtaining the data due to safety concerns and the variable nature of the event (e.g., fire size and duration, meteorological conditions, terrain effects, combustion conditions and fire-fighting activities). Furthermore, the primary concern on the part of officials in charge is to provide for the safety and welfare of those who may be affected by the heat and smoke from the fire. TRC Environmental Corporation collected, evaluated, and documented air monitoring data from 22 actual tire fire emergencies for the EPA (TRC, 1993). The concentration data that was collected were intended primarily for use by public officials to determine evacuation areas. Seventeen analytes common to tire fire incidents were analyzed, all VOCs. The ambient concentration data were extremely scattered. This is not unexpected, given the difficulties in obtaining reliable field data during an open tire fire. The summary data are presented in two groups, concentrations measured within 305 m (1000 feet) of the fire and concentrations measured beyond 305 m (1000 feet). Summary statistics are presented in Tables 7 and 8. Of the 17 analytes studied, benzene, toluene, and styrene had the highest overall concentrations. The report acknowledges that particulate matter containing PAHs and heavy metals are known tire fire emissions, however because of the lack of PM monitoring data, these compounds were not addressed. Therefore, the available data are not fully representative of the potential health risks from exposure to open tire fire emissions. 13