Evaluation of mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of brominated and chlorinated acetonitriles: by-products of chlorination

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-0590(85)90142-3· OSTI ID:5614300

Bull, R J; Meier, J R; Robinson, M; Ringhand, H P; Laurie, R D; Stober, J A

The present study was undertaken to determine if chlorinated and brominated acetonitriles formed during the chlorination of drinking water possess mutagenic and/or carcinogenic properties. Chloroacetonitrile (CAN), dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN), trichloroacetonitrile (TCAN), bromochloroacetonitrile (BCAN), and dibromoacetonitrile (DBAN) were tested for their ability (1) to produce point mutations in the Salmonella/microsome assay, (2) to induce sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro, (3) to produce micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes in CD-1 mice, and (4) to act as tumor initiators in the skin of Sencar mice. DCAN and BCAN were found to be direct-acting mutagens in Salmonella. All five haloacetonitriles induced SCE in CHO cells in vitro. This activity paralleled the extent of chlorine substitution and was further enhanced in the dihaloacetonitrile series when bromine was substituted for chlorine. None of the haloacetonitriles showed evidence of activity in the mouse micronucleus assay. DBAN, BCAN, and CAN initiated tumors in the mouse skin with topical applications followed by a 20-week promotion schedule of 12-O tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate applications (p less than 0.02). These data indicate that the haloacetonitriles do display mutagenic and carcinogenic properties in some test systems and the hazard associated with their occurrence in drinking water and production within the gastrointestinal tract require further evaluation.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 5614300
• Journal Information: Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States); ISSN FAATD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACETONITRILE
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BONE MARROW
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATION
CHO CELLS
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
ERYTHROCYTES
HALOGENATION
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MICE
MICROORGANISMS
MUTAGEN SCREENING
MUTATIONS
NITRILES
ORGANIC BROMINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RODENTS
SALMONELLA
SCREENING
SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
WATER SUPPLY