Tumor-promoting activity and mutagenicity of 5 termiticide compounds.

The tumor-promoting activities of 5 commercial compounds used in termiticides were measured by a cell-transformation assay employing Bhas 42 cells. Their initiating activities were also measured by the microsuspension assay employing S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. The results of the transformation assay confirmed the tumor-promoting activities of fenitrothion, silafluofen and bifenthrin. Furthermore, the mutagenicity of S-421 and fenitrothion were also confirmed. Consideration of 2-stage carcinogenesis suggests that concurrent use of and long-term exposure to these compounds that have tumor-promoting and initiator activity, and compounds exhibiting either type of activity individually should be avoided as much as possible.