The mutagenic activity of high-energy explosives, contaminants of concern at military training sites

Mcallister, JE; Gingerich, JD; White, PA

HERO ID

1065804

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Abstract

Year

2008

HERO ID 1065804
Material Type Abstract
In Press No
Year 2008
Title The mutagenic activity of high-energy explosives, contaminants of concern at military training sites
Authors Mcallister, JE; Gingerich, JD; White, PA
Journal Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis
Volume 49
Issue 7
Page Numbers 569
Abstract The genotoxicity of energetic compounds that commonly occur in contaminated soils at military training sites has not been rigorously tested. The Salmonella and Muta T Mouse in vitro mutagenicity assays were employed to examine the mutagenic activity of selected energetic compounds including TNT, tetryl, RDX, and HMX, as well as explosives-contaminated soil samples. Salmonella analyses employed strains TA98 (frameshift), TA100 (base-pair substitution), and the metabolically enhanced YG 1041, with and without exogenous metabolic activation (S9). Results indicate that TNT is a direct-acting mutagen, eliciting significant responses without S9. Strains TA98, TA100, and YG1041 yielded mutagenic potencies of 0.87±0.03, 1.72±0.08, and 1.32±0.06 revertants/IJg TNT, respectively. In contrast, tetryl elicited significant responses both with and without S9, exhibiting mutagenic activity in all strains. Potencies ranged from 1.27±0.13 to 14.98±1.67 revertants/IJg tetryl. Testing of soil samples yielded significant responses in strains TA98 and YG1 041, with and without S9. Mutagenic potencies ranged from 3.48±0.13 to 16.20±0.97 revertants/mg soil equivalent. Responses obtained using the Muta ™Mouse assay in FE 1 cells indicate that TNT can induce lacZ mutations, with and without S9. In contrast, there is little evidence to support the mutagenic activity of tetryl or RDX. HMX appears to be toxic to FE1 cells. Testing of soil samples in the Muta™Mouse assay is currently underway. Analysis of other energetic compounds and contaminated soil samples is warranted in order to reliably estimate mutagenic hazard.
Doi 10.1002/em.20427
Url http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/em.20427
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Dupe Override No
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