A method for studying the mutagenicity of some gaseous compounds in Salmonella typhimurium.

A dynamic flow-through exposure system was designed for mutagenicity studies of gaseous compounds in Salmonella. Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 was the primary tester strain. The dose ranges were 0.5-20% of vinyl chloride, ethene, propene, and 1,3-butadiene, 1-200 ppm of ethylene oxide, 0.5-20 ppm of nitrogen dioxide, and 0.1-3.5 ppm of ozone. The gas flow rate was 250, 500, or 1,000 ml/min, and the exposure time was 6 or 7 hours. Of the tested gases, vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, and nitrogen dioxide were mutagenic. Ethene, propene, and 1,3-butadiene were not mutagenic in this system. Ozone is bacteriotoxic, and no mutagenic effect could be demonstrated in the nontoxic dose range. The exposure system was considered suitable for studies on gaseous chemicals.