The mutagenicity and DNA-modifying effect of haloalkanes.

Abstract

Summary A series of haloalkanes, some of them widely used in industry and in the home, are shown to be mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium and preferentially to inhibit the growth of DNA polymerase-deficient (pol A1-) Escherichia coli. It was found that the relative activities of the test substances differed when examined in these systems and that one of the agents was active in the pol A1- system only. In view of these results it is suggested that both assays be used in routine screening of environmental agents.