Chromosomal aberrations induced by secondary and tertiary amine-containing dyes and in combination with nitrite in vivo in mice.

Chromosomal aberrations induced by indigo carmine (secondary amine-containing dye), fast green FCF (tertiary amine-containing dye) and sodium nitrite, singly and in combination, were studied in mice after prolonged feeding in the diet. A significant increase in the chromosomal aberrations was observed for all the dyes and in the nitrite treated series when compared with distilled water controls. However, a combination of half the concentration of dye and nitrite gave additive effects.