The effect of the pesticides, Dexon, Captan and Roundup, on sister-chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes in vitro

Abstract

3 pesticides at varying concentrations were tested for the induction of SCE in human lymphocytes in vitro. The fungicide, Dexon, sodium (4-(dimethylamino)phenyldiazene sulfate, was found to cause the greatest increase in SCE frequency and the response is dose related. The herbicide, Roundup, isopropylamine salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, had the lest effect on SCE requiring the use of much higher concentrations to produce an effect. Limited results were obtained with the fungicide Captan, cis-N-((trichloromethyl)thio)-4-cyclohexene-1, 2-dicarboximide because of toxic levels of either the fungicide or solvent used.