Non-mutagenicity of some wood-related compounds in the bacterial/microsome plate incorporation and microsuspension assays

Seven commercially available wood-related compounds have been tested for mutagenicity by the use of the Ames and fluctuation test-systems. All compounds were found to be non-mutagenic. Among these compounds, 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone showed a very weak and questionable mutagenic activity against Salmonella typhimurium TA 100. In this connection, probable causes of nasal adenocarcinoma of woodworkers are briefly discussed.