Mutagenicity of ozonation and chlorination products from p-hydroxybenzaldehyde.

p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, a component of soil humic substances, was ozonated and chlorinated. The ether extract and the residue were subjected to the Ames assay; mutagenic activities were identified. The non-ionic resin CSP800 and the anion exchange resin CHPA25 were used for separation of mutagenic compounds. The compounds in the water layer were not adsorbed on CSP800 or CHPA25 and exhibited strong mutagenic activity. Mutagenic activity was reduced as the added chlorine was increased. Ether extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chloral, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanone, 1,2,3-trichloro-1-propene, tetrachloroethylene and 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloro-2-propanone were identified as mutagenic compounds.