Metals as Mutagens

Abstract
A number of metals are mutagenic in bacteria or phage. These include compounds of arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, platinum, and selenium. Compounds containing aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and tellurium have been shown to induce chromosomal aberrations or abnormal cell divisions in animal or plant cells. Genetic evidence suggests that arsenic, chromium, and molybdenum compounds may influence the accuracy of DNA repair processes in microorganisms.