Evaluation of the genotoxicity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives in mammalian cell cultures

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives (collectively known as 2 ,4-D) are herbicides used to control a wide variety of broadleaf and woody plants. The genetic toxicity of an ester (2,4-D 2-butoxyethylester) and two salts (2,4-D isopropylamine and 2,4-D triisopropanolamine) was investigate d in cultured mammalian cells. The end points used were the induction of ch romosomal aberrations in primary cultures of rat lymphocytes and forward mu tations at the HGPRT locus of Chinese hamster ovary cells. There was no evi dence of genotoxicity for the test materials in the experimental systems us ed. These results were consistent with the general lack of genotoxic potent ial for 2,4-D in a number of other test systems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.