Reference values of tests for the assessment of mutagenic activity

The determination of mutagenic activity in biological media aims at detecting the exposure to mutagenic chemicals, or to chemicals transformed by the organism into mutagenic metabolites. Mutagenic activity is detected by various short-term tests which rely upon the interaction of the chemical with the DNA of, bacteria, Drosophila or mammalian cells. The urinary fluctuation test has been particularly useful in determining mutagenic activity in the urine of subjects exposed to low concentrations of suspected genotoxic chemicals. The assay procedure itself is relatively simple, the data, however, should be carefully evaluated in relation to the attributes of the donor, bearing in mind the confounding variables related to life-style, diet, occupation and drug intake.