Mutagen, Mutagenic, Mutagenicity
Mutagen, Mutagenic, Mutagenicity : A mutagen is a substance which can cause changes in the DNA of cells (mutations). Mutagenic means able to cause mutations. Mutagenicity is the ability of a substance to cause mutations. DNA determines the characteristics that children inherit from their parents. DNA also determines how cells in the body divide or reproduce. A number of mutagenicity tests are used to screen chemicals for possible carcinogenicity or reproductive effects. This is because there is some evidence that mutations may increase the risk of cancer and reproductive problems such as infertility or birth defects. However, mutagenicity test results are not very reliable predictors of these effects. One reason for this is that the human body can repair mutations while most mutagenicity tests cannot. Mutagenicity is included on Material Safety Data Sheets because it is an early indicator of potential hazard, and often there is very little other evidence available on possible carcinogenic or reproductive effects. The Canadian Controlled Products Regulations describes technical criteria for identifying materials which are mutagenic. The Canadian Controlled Products Regulations are part of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). The U. S. OSHA HAZCOM Standard includes mutagenic effects as reproductive target organ effects
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