Chromosome aberration tests with Chinese hamster cells in vitro with and without metabolic activation--a comparative study on mutagens and carcinogens.

Chromosome aberration tests (CH-test) in vitro were carried out on more than 400 chemicals from our environment, which included carcinogens and other compounds such as food additives, medical drugs, pesticides and those used in laboratories or industries. All results were compared with those obtained by mutation assays with bacteria (Ames test). Nearly half of these chemicals tested were positive either in the CH-tests or in the Ames tests. Among the chemicals being positive in the CH-tests, however, there were some which were negative in the Ames tests but have been proved to be carcinogenic in animals. Mammalian cell systems, therefore, may be not dispensable and are postulated for the primary screening for chemical mutagens and carcinogens in our environment.