title: Assessment of the genotoxic effects of methyl chloride in human lymphoblasts.
abstract: The activity of methyl chloride was measured in 4 genotoxicity assays. In an established human lymphoblast line, a 3-h treatment with 0-5% methyl chloride resulted in a dose-related increase in mutant fraction at the thymidine kinase locus and induction of sister-chromatid exchange. No increase in DNA damage, as measured by alkaline elution, was detected in the lymphoblasts at concentrations of methyl chloride shown to be mutagenic. Also, a concentration-related increase in 8-azaguanine-resistant fraction in Salmonella typhimurium was observed following a 3-h treatment with atmospheres containing 0-20% methyl chloride. Thus, methyl chloride is a weak, direct-acting mutagen for bacteria and human cells in culture.
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008737:Methyl Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D008737:Methyl Chloride