Genotoxic activity in microorganisms of tetryl, 1,3‐dinitrobenzene and 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene

N-Methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (tetryl), 1,3-dinitrobenzene, and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene were subjected to DNA repair assays using the Escherichia coli W3110/polA+, p3478/polA− system, reverse mutation assays with His− Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, and TA100, and mitotic recombinogenic tests with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae D5. Tests were carried out in the absence of an exogenous activation system and in tissue homogenate-mediated assays using Aroclor 1254-induced, male rat-liver-derived S9 mix. Mutagenic activity of tetryl was demonstrated with S typhimurium strains TA1537, TA1538, TA98, and TA100. The responses were particularly strong in the absence of S9 mix. Tetryl also induced increases in recombinant numbers and frequencies in the S cerevisiae test without the S9 mix, but not in its presence. 1,3-Dinitrobenzene was demonstrated to be a mutagen with S typhimurium strains TA1538, TA98, and TA100. Slight activity was also seen with TA1537. The S9 mix reduced the magnitude of the responses. 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene was also demonstrated to be mutagenic with S typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, and TA100. Again, the S9 mix reduced the magnitude of the responses. In this segment of a programme initiated by military authorities, the genotoxic potential of three nitroaromatic compounds, which have found significant use in explosive preparations, has been demonstrated. Twelve other compounds used in ordnance were not active in any of the test systems. These were octahydro-1-acetyl-3,5,7-trinitro-S-tetramine (SEX), hexahydro-1,3-dinitro-5-acetyl-S-triamine (TAX), ethyl centralite, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, diphenylamine, diethyleneglycoldinitrate, nitroguanidine, lead salicylate, lead resorcylate, red phosphorus, and zinc chloride.