Open AccessChemical mutagenesis: an emerging issue for public health.
Author(s) -
Larry D. Claxton,
Patricia Z. Barry
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.67.11.1037
Subject(s) - public health , mutagenesis , environmental health , chemical safety , human health , risk analysis (engineering) , biology , business , medicine , genetics , mutation , pathology , gene
Chemical mutagens are recognized as prevalent in the environment and a potential threat to the health of future generations. This paper presents an overview of chemical mutagenesis as an issue for public health. Several problems in the determination of risk to human populations are discussed, including difficulties of extrapolating scientific data to humans, the latency period between exposure and recognizable genetic damage, and the large number of chemicals which must be tested. Test systems are described. Possibilities of control through federal regulation are discussed.