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Mediation of mutagenicity and clastogenicity of heavy metals by physicochemical factors

Journal Article · · Environ. Res.; (United States)
Heavy metals are an important class of environmental hazards, and as the use of heavy metals in industry continues to increase, larger segments of the biota, including human beings, will be exposed to increasing levels of these toxicants. Studies with microbes and representatives of the aquatic biota have shown that the toxicity of heavy metals is mediated by the physicochemical characteristics of natural environments. A few studies have also indicated that such abiotic factors (e.g. pH, chelating agents, inorganic anionic and cationic composition) mediate the mutagenicity and clastogenicity of heavy metals. These studies indicate that the physicochemical characteristics of natural environments may also potentiate or attenuate the mutagenicity and clastogenicity of heavy metals to the indigenous biota. There is an apparent need to develop genotoxicity tests that incorporate into their procedures the mediating influence of physicochemical factors (pH, for example), as the use of only standardized procedures may hinder the detection of heavy metal, as well as of organic, genotoxins whose mutagenicity or clastogenicity is altered by conditions other than those used in the standardized assay, thereby producing false negative results. 275 references.
Research Organization:
New York Univ., NY
OSTI ID:
6331028
Journal Information:
Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN ENVRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English