Genetic Activity Profiles in the Testing and Evaluation of Complex Chemical Mixtures

Complex chemical mixtures in the environment present a difficult toxicological challenge. Most environmental complex mixtures are poorly defined and somewhat variable with respect to their chemical composition. Hence, a combined application of toxicological and chemical analytical methodologies is required to characterize and evaluate potentially hazardous chemical mixtures. The approach of bioassay-directed chemical fractionation and analysis has been favored by many investigators. The results of this approach have suggested frequently, but not always, that the genetic activity of components of mixtures is additive. Thus, some knowledge of the potential genetic activity of the mixture may be gained from an assessment of the genetic activity of component fractions and component chemicals.