This work focuses on the possible use of phenanthro[9,10-c]-1,2,5-thiadiazole 1,1-dioxide (TDZ) as a harmless corrosion inhibitor. TDZ range-dose providing minimum adverse effects to the environment and human health, with satisfactory corrosion-inhibiting properties was evaluated. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of TDZ at 0.57-12.50 mu M concentration range were tested by neutral red, chromosomal aberrations, mitotic index, and colony formation assays. Results showed a significant increase of chromatid-type aberrations for the highest concentration of TDZ assayed (12.50 mu M). Additionally, a reduction in the proliferative rate for lower concentrations was detected by the MI assay. We concluded that TDZ should be used at concentrations lower than 1.16 mu M. Corrosion assays performed showed good inhibition effect (ca. 50%) at low (0.65 mu M) TDZ concentration. Consequently, our results indicated that TDZ induced a time- and dose-dependent genotoxic and cytotoxic response on CHO-K1 cells. Short assays should be complemented with long exposure tests to simulate chronic contact with TDZ since lower threshold levels may be found for shorter exposures and a wrong safety range could be determined. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.