Mutagenic activity of anthraquinone derivatives used as dyes in a textile factory.

Some anthraquinone derivatives used as dyes in a textile factory have been tested for their mutagenic activity on the Ames' strains of Salmonella typhimurium. 1-amino-4-hydroxy-anthraquinone proved to be a mutagen of the frameshift type. It is active without need of metabolic activation. Studies are in progress in order to clarify if the mutagenic activity of other substituted anthraquinones, which do not act as direct mutagens, can become evident after metabolic activation. Further tests are needed to decide if substituted anthraquinones are hazardous for exposed people.