Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of dimethyl and monomethyl sulfates in the cho/hgprt system

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Abstract
Coal fly ash collected from coal-fired plants contains dimethyl sulfate (DMS) and monomethyl sulfate (MS) at concentrations as high as 830 ppm. Both these compounds were tested in the CHO/HGPRT [hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase] system, and it was found that only DMS was cytotoxic and mutagenic to CHO cells. On a molar basis, DMS is twice as mutagenic as methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Maximum mutation induction and cytotoxicity were obtained after approximately 1 h. The mutagenic potency of DMS was more stable in aqueous solutions at 4.degree. C than at the ambient temperature of 22.degree. C, but was least stable in DMSO solutions at 22.degree. C. Near-UV light caused an approximately 2-fold decrease in the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of DMS. Although DMS produced by coal combustion could be rendered innocuous by environmental agents in a short span of time, this compound could still pose a health risk to workers closely involved in coal-combustion technology.