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Mutagenic impurities in 1,3-dichloropropene preparations.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
|May 1, 1984
Summary
The pesticide 1,3-dichloropropene (DCP) is mutagenic due to polar impurities, not the pesticide itself. These impurities, including epichlorhydrin, cause variations in mutagenic activity observed in different DCP preparations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Chemical Analysis
Background:
- 1,3-dichloropropene (DCP) is a widely used pesticide with reported mutagenicity.
- Significant variations in mutagenic activity exist between different DCP preparations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the cause of variable mutagenic activity in DCP preparations.
- Characterize the nature of DCP's mutagenic activity.
Main Methods:
- Assayed mutagenic activity of four DCP preparations before and after silicic acid chromatography.
- Analyzed mutagenic polar impurities using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.
- Regenerated impurities by refluxing purified DCP.
Main Results:
- No mutagenic activity was detected in DCP after chromatography, indicating impurities are responsible.
- Mutagenic activity of unpurified DCP correlated with the activity of its polar impurities.
- Epichlorhydrin and 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol were tentatively identified as mutagens in DCP impurities.
Conclusions:
- The observed mutagenicity of 1,3-dichloropropene is attributed to direct-acting polar impurities.
- Future research should focus on whether DCP itself is carcinogenic or if impurities cause previously observed carcinogenicity.