MUTAGENIC ACTIVITY OF 3 INDUSTRIAL-CHEMICALS IN A BATTERY OF IN-VITROAND IN-VIVO TESTS

3 chemicals were selected for mutagenicity testing from a priority lis t, based on production volume and available mutagenicity data. Proparg yl alcohol (PA), 2-nitroaniline (2NA), and 5-methyl-1H-benzo-triazole (MBT) were selected for testing using the approach recommended in the Health Protection Branch Genotoxicity Guidelines. The battery of tests included the Salmonella/mammalian microsome mutation assay, the in vi tro chromosomal aberration assay, and the bone-marrow micronucleus ass ay. The results indicate that 2 of the 3 chemicals, PA and 2NA, were c lastogenic in vitro. Both PA and 2NA induced chromosomal aberrations i n CHO cells in vitro with and without metabolic activation, while none induced reverse mutations detectable with the Salmonella/mammalian mi crosome assay. Because PA and 2NA were found to be in vitro clastogens , they also were tested in the mouse bone-marrow micronucleus assay. 2 NA induced a small increase in micronuclei in males but not females. P A did not induce an increase in micronuclei.