Mutagenicity of polycyclic hydrocarbons. V. Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in vivo.

The potency of polycyclic hydrocarbons to induce SCEs in vivo was analysed. The most potent SCE-inducing compound was benzo[a]pyrene. Benzanthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[e]pyrene, phenanthrene, chrysene and dibenzanthracene enhanced the SCE frequency to a smaller extent. The number of anthracene-induced SCEs per metaphase was not increased as compared with the controls.