Genotoxicity in B6C3F1 Mice Following 0.5 ppm Ozone Inhalation

To determine whether ozone is genotoxic at environmentally relevant exposure level, B6C3F1 mice were exposed to 0.5 ppm ozone for 12 weeks, 6 hr/day. Chromosomal aberration, supravital micronucleus and hprt mutation assays were performed. The percentage of abnormal cells was significantly increased at 0.5 ppm ozone when compared to unexposed control in chromosome aberration assay. Significant increase in the frequencies of micro nucleated reticulocytes and 6-thioguanine-resistant ($TG^r$) lymphocytes was also observed in supravital micronucleus assay using peripheral blood and lymphocyte hprt mutation assay, respectively. The results indicate, that under our experimental conditions, 0.5 ppm ozone are genotoxic in exposed B6C3F1 mice.