Evaluation of the mutagenic activity of some aza-aromatic hydrocarbons.

The mutagenic activity of 7 aza-aromatic hydrocarbons, which are suspected of being environmental pollutants, was assessed using the Salmonella assay. The compounds tested were: 1-azachrysene, 2-azachrysene, 4-azachrysene, 1-azabenz[a]anthracene, 2-azabenz[a]anthracene, 9-azabenz[a]anthracene, and 12-benzo[a]pyrene. None of the compounds was mutagenic in the absence of S9, but all were mutagenic in the presence of S9.