Linuron cytogenetic activity on human lymphocytes treated in vitro. Evaluation of clastogenic and aneugenic potential using cytokinesis block micronucleus assay in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization (fish)

Linuron is a substituted urea compound registered for use as an herbicide for the control of a wide variety of annual and perennial broad-leaved and grassy weeds. In the present study the effect of Linuron (12.5 - 87.5 mu g/ml) on the micronucleus (MN) induction is studied in human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures treated in vitro. The application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on Cytochalasin B (Cyt-B) formed binucleated cells has shown that the induced micronuclei are due to clastogenic as well as aneugenic activity.