Evaluation of acute bioassays for assessing toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soils

Journal Article · Fri Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1986 · Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0273-2300(86)90036-X· OSTI ID:5573570

Hose, J E; Barlow, L A; Bent, S; Elseewi, A A; Cliath, M; Resketo, M; Doyle, C

Proposed State of California regulations use fish toxicity information as one criterion in municipal or industrial waste hazard evaluation. Static 96-hr bioassays were performed using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis), and glass shrimp (Palaemonetes kadiakensis) exposed to soil experimentally contaminated with up to 500 ppm polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) capacitor fluid added at a concentration of 500 mg liter-1. Other bioassays were conducted with a 6-day mixing period prior to the bioassay or with acetone added to solubilize the PCBs. No mortality attributable to PCB toxicity was observed in definitive bioassays using the two fish and one invertebrate species. PCB levels leached from soil containing 500 ppm Aroclor 1242 ranged from less than 0.6 to 3.4 ppb in freshwater tests to 3.5 ppb in seawater bioassays. Using these data as the basis for waste classification, soils contaminated with up to 500 ppb PCBs during capacitor spills would be designated nonhazardous. PCBs are known to be environmentally persistent and to bioaccumulate. Acute toxicity tests, therefore, do not adequately evaluate the general toxicity of PCB-contaminated soils. Hazardous waste regulations for hydrophobic compounds such as PCBs should instead be based upon chronic toxicity data and should also consider bioaccumulation potential.

• Research Organization: Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
• OSTI ID: 5573570
• Journal Information: Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol.; (United States), Journal Name: Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN RTOPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
ARTHROPODS
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONTAMINATION
CRUSTACEANS
DECAPODS
DISSOLUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FATHEAD MINNOW
FISHES
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INVERTEBRATES
LEACHING
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SHRIMP
SOILS
TOXICITY
TROUT
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION