The evaluation of the epoxide diluent, n-butylglycidyl ether, in a series of mutagenicity assays.

The epoxide diluent, n-butylglycidyl ether (n-BGE), was tested in vitro for mutagenicity using Salmonella typhimurium and for transforming ability in mouse embryo cells (BAlb/3T3-A31-1-13). The n-BGE produced base-pair type mutations in S typhimurium strains TA1535 and TA100. However, it failed to transform mouse embryo cells when assayed up to toxic levels. The mutagenic activity could not be detected in the urine of mice, although several doses, routes of administrations, and lengths of exposure were examined. Orally administered n-BGE did not produce any increase in micronuclei in mice, but when the diluent was administered intraperitoneally, either one or two times, dose-related increases in the number of micronuclei were observed.