GENETIC TOXICOLOGY OF EPICHLOROHYDRIN - A REVIEW

Epichlorohydrin (ECH) is one of the more commercially important alipha tic epoxides used extensively as an industrial intermediate, a laborat ory reagent, and as an insecticide. It is a volatile, colourless liqui d with an ethereal odour. It behaves as an alkylating agent. Reports h ave shown it to cause the respiratory and der-mal toxicity in animals and humans. It has also been reported to be carcinogenic in experiment al models. Thus, the wide-spread use of this aliphatic epoxide is of g reat concern in human health problem. The purpose of this paper is to critically review and update the mutagenic and clastogenic effects of ECH based on available literature.