ABSTRACT
Water samples within the area of the II Petrochemical Industrial Complex (pluvial draining accumulation, safety basins and industrial effluent) and at different points along the Caí river were tested for the presence of mutagens and/or carcinogens using the Ames test. Positive results were obtained for the TA 100 an TA 98 strains with or without microsomal activation in samples within the area of the Petrochemical Industrial Complex and at the Caí river sampling sites closest to the industrial complex. These results suggest the presence of mutagens causing frameshift and base-pair substitution mutations, indicating the need for continuous monitoring of the area of influence of the III Petrochemical Industrial Complexo to evaluate the full environmental impact of this industrial complex