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Mutagenic activity of tetryl, a nitroaromatic explosive, in three microbial test systems
Toxicology Letters
|January 1, 1980
Summary
The military explosive tetryl (N-methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline) is a direct mutagen, causing genetic mutations in microbial tests. Other explosives like PETN, RDX, and HMX showed no mutagenic activity in the Ames test.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Microbial Genetics
- Chemical Mutagenesis
Background:
- Military explosives pose potential health risks.
- N-methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (tetryl) is a widely used military explosive.
- Understanding the mutagenicity of explosives is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mutagenic potential of the military explosive tetryl.
- To compare the mutagenicity of tetryl with nonaromatic explosives (PETN, RDX, HMX).
- To assess the health risks associated with human exposure to tetryl.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three microbial mutagenicity test systems: Neurospora crassa, Salmonella typhimurium (Ames test), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae D4.
- Assessed mutagenic activity at concentrations as low as 5 microgram/ml.
- Examined specific types of mutations induced by tetryl, including base-pair substitutions and mitotic gene conversions.
Main Results:
- Tetryl demonstrated direct-acting mutagenicity in all three microbial test systems.
- Tetryl induced base-pair substitution reversions in Neurospora crassa and Salmonella typhimurium.
- Tetryl caused mitotic gene conversions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae D4.
- Nonaromatic explosives (PETN, RDX, HMX) were not mutagenic in the Ames Salmonella test.
Conclusions:
- Tetryl is a potent mutagen with the ability to induce various genetic alterations.
- The findings suggest a potential health risk for individuals with past or present exposure to tetryl.
- Further research on tetryl's long-term health effects is warranted.