Micronucleus tests in mice on 39 food additives and eight miscellaneous chemicals.

A total of 47 chemical substances including 32 synthetic food additives, seven additives from natural sources, three trihalogenated methanes, two fluoro-compounds for dental use, one insecticide, and two other compounds were subjected to the micronucleus test in mice. Five compounds, i.e. chlorine dioxide, maltol, potassium bromate, sodium chlorite and sodium dehydroacetate, were found to induce micronuclei after a single ip injection. Potassium bromate, sodium chlorite and sodium dehydroacetate were tested further by oral administration, and potassium bromate showed a clearly positive result. Almost all the compounds which were negative with the single treatment were additionally tested by four or five multiple treatments, but none showed any indication of micronucleus induction.