title: Herbicidal phenylalkylureas as possible mutagens I. Mutagenicity tests with some urea herbicides.
abstract: Substituted phenylalkylureas are widely used as herbicides. In the assay system of Friedman and Staub, which measures the inhibition of testicular DNA synthesis (DSI test), most of these substances showed a positive reaction, i.e. they depressed tnymidine incorporation significantly. Bacterial tests demonstrated a weak mutagenic activity, too; but in the micronucleus test the compounds were almost inactive. As one member of this group of chemicals--the herbicide monuron--is a recognized carcinogen, these results seem to indicate a possible hazard, but more investigations are needed to quantify this danger.
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006540:Herbicides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009153:Mutagens; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D009153:Mutagens; D004247:DNA