Aliphatic and aromatic halocarbons as potential mutagens in drinking water. III. Halogenated ethanes and ethenes

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Abstract
Members of the groups of halogenated ethanes and ethenes (ethylenes) can either be formed during chlorination of drinking water or are of commercial importance and, therefore, produced in considerable amounts. Out of these groups, Bromoethane (BEA), 1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCEA), 1,2‐dibromoethane (1,2‐DBEA), 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (1,1,1‐TCEA), 1,1,2‐trichloroethane (1,1,2‐TCEA), 1,1,1,2‐tetrachloroethane (1,1,1,2‐TCEA), 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane (1,1,2,2‐TCEA), 1,1,2,2‐tetrabromoethane (1,1,2,2‐TBEA), 1,1‐dichloroethene (1,1‐DCE), 1,2‐trans‐dichloroethene (1,2‐trans‐DCE), 1,2‐dibromoethene (1,2‐DBE) and trichlorothene (TCE) have been tested for their mutagenic activity in the Ames‐test. The tester strains TA 97, TA 98, TA 100 and TA 104 were employed. All tested compounds induced mutagenic effects in at least two tester strains. With the exception of TCE all substances induced both, base‐pair‐substitutions and frameshift mutations. TCE induced only frameshift mutations. 1,1‐DCE occurred as promutagen. The highest numbers of revertants were detected for 1,2‐DCEA. The evidence of their presence in drinking water and their mutagenic activity makes them a potential health hazard.