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The Lambda Select cII Mutation Detection System
Published on: April 26, 2018
Activity of bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF) in three mutation tests
Mutation Research
|April 1, 1985
Summary
The halocarbon BCF showed mutagenicity in one Salmonella strain but not others. In mammalian cells, BCF did not cause gene mutation or clastogenicity, despite toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Halocarbons are synthetic chemicals with diverse industrial applications.
- Assessing the mutagenicity and clastogenicity of environmental contaminants is crucial for public health.
- BCF (bromochlorofluoromethane) is a halocarbon whose toxicological profile requires thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mutagenic potential of BCF using bacterial assays.
- To assess the genotoxic effects of BCF in mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo.
- To determine the clastogenic activity of BCF in mouse bone marrow.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial mutagenicity testing using Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, TA100).
- In vitro mammalian cell gene mutation assay using L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells (TK locus).
- In vivo clastogenicity assessment via micronucleus test in C57B1/6J mouse bone marrow after BCF inhalation exposure.
Main Results:
- BCF exhibited mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1535 but was negative in other strains.
- No gene mutations were induced by BCF in the mouse lymphoma assay.
- No significant increase in bone marrow micronuclei was observed in mice exposed to BCF, even at toxic doses.
Conclusions:
- BCF demonstrates selective mutagenicity in bacteria.
- BCF is not mutagenic in vitro in mammalian cells nor clastogenic in vivo.
- The study indicates a limited genotoxic risk from BCF in mammalian systems under tested conditions.

