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Title: Environmental phototoxicity: Solar ultraviolet radiation affects the toxicity of natural and man-made chemicals

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00169a001· OSTI ID:5259662
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (USA)

Ultraviolet radiation appears to be toxic to all forms of unpigmented living cells, including bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, fish, birds, and mammals. In addition to the direct absorption of solar energy by cellular constituents, toxicity may occur because of the absorption of sunlight by xenobiotics (or by naturally occurring compounds outside the target cell); these may be converted by light or by subsequent light-promoted reactions that induce cellular damage. This article describes the phototoxicity of photodynamic dyes, light-activated synthetic herbicides, petroleum and its constituents, and naturally occurring chemicals from plants. Detoxification mechanisms are also discussed.

OSTI ID:
5259662
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology; (USA), Vol. 22:5; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English