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Chronic Effect

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Definition

A clastogen is a substance that cause breaks in chromosomes that result in the gain, loss, or rearrangements of chromosomal segments. Clastogens can also cause sister chromatid exchanges, the interchanges and reunions that occur during the processes of mitosis or meiosis (DNA replication).

Additional Info

Clastogens break and/or damage your DNA, the code that determines the function of the cells in your body. If a damaged cell dies, then there may be no further health effect. But if the altered/damaged cell's DNA still functions and is replicated (reproduced; passed on), this may lead to mutagenesis or carcinogenesis. While all gene mutations generally involve clastogenesis, the reverse is not always true - not all clastogens produce gene mutations.

Examples of known human clastogens include certain anti-cancer drugs, benzene, ethylene oxide and inorganic arsenic. X-ray and ultraviolet radiation can also be considered clastogens.

Books Available

NOTE: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links in the following list:

• "Introduction to Cancer Biology 1st Ed", Paperback, 352 pages, 2013. Estimated price: $53.94. Info and/or order.
• "DNA Repair And Mutagenesis", Hardcover, 1,118 pages, 2005. Estimated price: $57.04. Info and/or order.
• "The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics, 3rd Ed", Paperback, 569 pages, 2015. Estimated price: $162.36. Info and/or order.
• "The Biology of Cancer, 2nd Ed", Paperback, 876 pages, 2013. Estimated price: $103.00. Info and/or order.
• "Wilson and Walker's Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 8th Ed", Paperback, 2018, 956 pages. Estimated price $51.99. Info and/or order.

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SDS Relevance

If a substance poses a clastogenic hazard, this information will appear in Section 11 (toxicological information) of a Safety Data Sheet. The sheet will explain how you can protect yourself from these hazards and reduce your risk in Section 8 (exposure controls/personal protection).

Obviously, any possible damage to your DNA is a Bad Thing. Treat all clastogens with the same respect you would afford a carcinogenic substance. Use proper engineering controls such as a fume hood whenever possible and always use proper personal protective equipment such as gloves or respiratory protection.

Further Reading

• 5 guidance statements on testing chemicals with no or inadequate genotoxicity data by the Committee of Mutagenicity of the UK Department of Health.
• Clastogen at ScienceDirect, collects articles tagged with that keyword.
• The European Food Safety Authority draft scientific opinion on genotoxicity testing strategies applicable to food and feed safety assessment.
• Chromosomal aberrations, clastogens vs aneugens in Frontiers in Bioscience 2017, 9, 1-16.

See also: carcinogen, cytotoxin, mutagen.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

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