Abstract: Both the organic and aqueous ext ract s of smoke tar f rom burning coal could accelerate hydroxylative degradation of deoxyribose (dR) of deoxyadenosine (dA) in Uderf riend reaction system , and showed dose2effect relationship to some extent . However , smoke tar f rom burning oil showed none of these effect s. Free radicals were determined by ESR(elect ron spin resonance) , g= 2. 0016 for smoke tar f rom burning coal ; and g = 2. 1008 for the one f rom burning oil. The former was something like the polymer of quinone (Q) / hydroquinone (QH2) ; the latter was similar with the one f rom suspending dust in atmosphere. It was suggested that both the mutagenesis and the carcinogenesis of smoke tar from burning coal may be associated with it s acceleration on the formation of hydroxyl radicals , with the latter′s oxidative damage to DNA , and with property of the free radicals involved.

Key words: Smoke tar f rom burning coal (fuligo), oxidative st ress, free radicals, deoxyribose, DNA damage.