[Mutagenicity of alkylnitrites in the Salmonella test].

It has been shown that five alkylnitrites are mutagens by the Salmonella/microsome assay. n-Propyl-, n-butyl, iso-butyl and amyl-nitrite are direct mutagens on TA 1535; sec-butyl-nitrite is mutagen on TA 1535 only following metabolic activation by Aroclor-induced rat liver homogenate. Because of the known correlation between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, we believe that amyl-nitrite and iso-butyl-nitrite, which are used as human drugs, should be tested for carcinogenicity in animals; in the meanwhile, their use should be allowed only in emergencies.