[Gene mutation induction by benz(a)pyrene following metabolic activation].

Chinese hamster cells were made use of to study the effect of low doses of benz(a)pyrene on gene mutations during metabolic activation. The HGRPT mutant clones were selected on the basis of their resistance to 8-azaguanine. The raising of benz(a)pyrene concentration (from 5 g/ml) was followed by the enhanced mutagenic effect which was approximately 7-10 times greater than the spontaneous level at a concentration of 20-25 micrograms/kg.