Assessment of the epigenetic toxicity of a mixture of PAHs before and after biodegradation
Subsurface contamination by nonaqueous phase liquids containing various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common at many industrial sites. PAHs are known carcinogens and the assessment of the toxicity of such complex chemical mixtures are required for human health-risk analysis models. In addition, the evaluation of the toxicity of residual chemicals that remain after remediation at contaminated sites is important in assessing the efficacy of remediation. In this study, a nonaqueous phase liquid comprised of toluene and eight PAHs was subjected to biodegradation under controlled conditions. The changes in chemical composition caused by biodegradation, and epigenetic toxicity of the residual after biodegradation in comparison to the epigenetic toxicity of the initial mixture have been evaluated. The epigenetic toxicity was determined using an assay of the gap junctional intercellular communication inhibition exhibited in rat liver epithelial cell cultures. The results suggest that some higher molecular weight components of the nonaqueous phase were not eliminated by biodegradation and the qualitative toxicity of the remaining fraction was comparable to the untreated nonaqueous phase liquid.
- Research Organization:
- McGill Univ., Montreal, Quebec (CA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of the Air Force; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- OSTI ID:
- 20014802
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ASCE-CSCE 1999 National Conference on Environmental Engineering, Norfolk, VA (US), 07/25/1999--07/28/1999; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Environmental engineering 1999, by Schafran, G.C. [ed.], 936 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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