Mutagenic effect of nitrilotriacetic acid on cultured human cells.

The mutagenic potential of nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt monohydrate (NTA) was evaluated on a human cell line (EUE) using selection for diphtheria toxin (DT) resistance. Cultures were treated with different doses of the chemical (2 X 10(-2)-2 X 10(-8) M) for 24 h, and cytotoxicity determined. NTA was effective in inducing diphtheria toxin-resistant (DTR) mutants, at all concentrations tested, except at 2 X 10(-6) M.