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was analyzed using GC/MS. Low concentrations of toluene, benzene, xylenes, and limonene were detected. More extensive GC/MS analysis also showed alkanes, substituted benzenes, substituted hydrazines, ketones, halogenated hydrocarbons, substituted phenols, nitriles, benzoic acids, and substituted benzene amines. Several PAHs were also detected including anthracene, pyrene, naphthalene, and fluoranthene. An Ames test for mutagenicity of the tire residue showed positive mutagenic activity. 2.4.2 Somerset, Wisconsin Tire Fire Stofferahn and Simon (1987) present an overview of events surrounding a tire fire that began on October 13, 1986 near Somerset, Wisconsin. Approximately six million tires were consumed out of an estimated eight to nine million scrap tire stockpile. The stockpile occupied about 6 hectare (15 acres) on a 10 hectare (25 acres) property. The smoke plume was visible for "several miles downwind." An intense fire raged for three days, after which it subsided and the threat of the fire spreading off-site was eliminated. The fire burned itself out after a period of approximately two weeks. A trailer park was approximately 0.8 km (one-half mile) north of the yard fence line. At the initial stage of the incident, a thick black smoke plume entered the park. Officials in charge decided to evacuate the trailer park, since the nature of potential health threats resulting from exposure to such a plume were not known. The evacuation remained in effect for one day, after which shifting wind patterns eliminated the heavy exposures that occurred on the first day. Recommendations to the general public were broadcast via local radio stations: • Those experiencing discomfort from the smoke should evacuate the area impacted by the plume or stay indoors in a sealed residence; and • Outdoor items with which people might come into contact on a routine basis (e.g., autos, laundry, outdoor furniture) or that would be ingested (e.g., garden vegetables) should be washed thoroughly. Air monitoring conducted by the US EPA Emergency Response Team (ERT) indicated a concentration of total suspended particulate (TSP) exceeding the 260 µg/m3 primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) in effect at that time. The ERT also concluded that the smoke became visible at about 250 pg/m3 TSP. The rough correlation to the primary standard resulted in the recommendation to response personnel to don respiratory protection or to avoid areas where the smoke plume was visible. No details on the method of sampling or analysis were given. Air samples collected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) were analyzed for concentrations of total coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV). At times, these concentrations exceeded the threshold limit value time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) of 0.2 Mg/M3. The authors compared the air concentration levels measured by the ERT and WDNR at the Somerset site with concentrations reported at two other major tire fires, the 18