[Application of the microbial mutation test in occupational health and its future problems (author's transl)].

The microbial mutation test developed by Ames has been revealed that many chemical carcinogens, which had been considered non-mutagenic, are actually mutagens and that a number of mutagens, the carcinogenicity of which has not yet been investigated, are carcinogens. The method is useful, in the chemical industry, for screening chemicals for carcinogenic potential because of its rapidity and economic return. The mutagenic activity of hundreds of chemicals has been investigated by this Ames test and a close relationship between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity has been demonstrated. It is considered that the application of this screening test is useful for prevention of occupational cancer in the chemical industry. In this paper the results of this test for industrial chemicals and the future problems are reviewed.