In vivo studies on genotoxicity of a soil fumigant, dazomet.
Source
Environmental & Molecular Mutagenesis. 32(2):179-84, 1998.
Abstract
Dazomet is a soil fumigant effective against germinating
weed seeds, nematodes, soil fungi, and soil insects. Dazomet
is primarily used for preplanting control in tobacco and forest nursery crops
and is now marketed for a wider range of open field and greenhouse crops
(e.g., vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, lawns, and turfs). Swiss CD1
male and female mice were intraperitoneally treated with
dazomet in order to evaluate its potential genotoxicity. DNA
damage activity, namely, DNA single-strand breaks, DNA adducts, and increased
micronuclei frequency due to treatment with the soil fumigant was observed in
the experimental animals. Dose-dependent DNA adduct formation was detected in
the liver, kidneys, and lungs of mice. DNA adduct levels in these three
organs were 6.0 +/- 0.4 (SD), 4.8 +/- 0.1 (SD), and 2.2 +/- 0.4 (SD)
adducts/10(8) nucleotides, respectively, at the highest dose of the soil
fumigant tested (90 mg/kg). No adduct formation was observed in control mice.
A significant increase in DNA single-strand breaks was detected in the liver
and kidneys of mice treated with 100 mg/kg of dazomet (P <
0.05). A significant increase in micronuclei frequency was observed in the
bone marrow of mice treated with 100 mg/kg of dazomet (P <
0.05).
ISSN
0893-6692
Vermonters for a Clean Environment, Inc