Mutagenicity of sodium hypochlorite for Salmonella typhimurium.

Sodium hypochlorite, a standard household item, induces base-substitution mutations in Salmonella typhimurium. Because of its potent bactericidal effect the mutagenicity of hypochlorite could best be demonstrated by short-term exposure to this chemical followed by the addition of ascorbic acid to decompose the hypochlorite.