Mutagenicity testing of commercial insecticides administered per os.

Mutagenic activity of eight commercial insecticides previously tested with in vivo chromosomal aberrations test after intraperitoneal treatment, was studied with the same test using per os administration of pesticides. Chromosomal aberrations were analyzed in the bone marrow cells of Syrian hamsters. It was shown that six pesticides induced a statistically significant increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations: Bi 58 EC, Metasystox (I) forte, Sadofos 30, Nogos 50 EC, Foschlor 25 and Thiodan 35. These insecticides induced two main types of aberrations: chromatid gaps and chromatid breaks. Gamacarbatox and Propotox M were nonmutagenic in the test.