Mutagenic studies on the insecticide Metasystox-R with different genetic systems.

The insecticide Metasystox-R was tested for mutagenic activity by a multiple bioassay. Its potential ability to induce gene mutation in Salmonella, micronuclei formation in mice, and sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) in human lymphocytes was evaluated. The insecticide induced detectable genotoxic effects in these tests. The results support the view that the insecticide is genotoxic.