Book excerpt: The compilation of this book was prompted by the necessity of a bench volume which could provide the necessary background information on materials, experimental design, pitfalls and dificulties, in order to perform a particular test in an acceptable way with a minimal need for additional expert help. This Second Edition updates this information, providing: - a comprehensive bench guide - methods known to be reliable - a broad spectrum of approaches - tips to avoid pitfalls when using unfamiliar techniques - data from population records - safety aspects of mutagens and carcinogens - basic statistical concepts for experiment design This `on the bench' methodological text provides the necessary information for most of the common assays for genetic damage in use. The book includes methods which have been sufficiently used and tested to make their use reliable, but also presents methods which are not widely used at present, but which might prove most useful in screening for mutagenic effects.