Genotoxicity of hazardous leachates from solid wastes evaluated for environmental impact with the ames test

Abstract

Fourteen series of toxic wastes from various origins (metallurgy, chemical industries, incinerators, industrial treatment plants, etc.) have been studied for their genotoxic properties with the Salmonella reversion assay. To consider realism of environmental impact, a strategy is proposed to assess genotoxicity of the water‐soluble fraction of the wastes. Water‐extractable micropollutants were further concentrated by liquid–liquid extraction or lyophilization prior to genotoxicity testing. None of the 14 crude aqueous fractions was shown to be mutagenic. On the contrary, positive responses were registered on the concentrated phases of two solid wastes derived from one chemical industry and from the treatment of organophosphorus wastewaters. Chemical analysis did not reveal the presence of known mutagens in the positive extracts. Interacting effects between micropollutants is thus hypothesized to explain genotoxicity.

TheSalmonellaMutagenicity Assay: The Stethoscope of Genetic Toxicology for the 21st Century

“…Whether it has been in the development of commercial products (Zeiger and Margolin 2000), the evaluation of industrial products and wastes (Aguayo et al 2004; Bessi et al 1992; Brooks et al 1998; Claxton et al 1998; Ohe et al 2004), or substances known to contaminate the environment (Chen and White 2004; Claxton et al 2004; Claxton and Woodall 2007; White and Claxton 2004), the Salmonella assay has been the screening test of choice in genetic toxicology for nearly four decades. Perhaps a new assay will emerge in the coming years that can assess a comprehensive set of predictive biological changes and also have the range of flexibility exhibited by the Salmonella assay.…”

“…In addition, numerous modifications of the tester strains or testing conditions have permitted researchers to explore the role of metabolism and to detect the mutagenicity of specific chemical classes of substances ( Claxton and Barnes 1981 ; Gee et al 1994 ; Hagiwara et al 1993 ; Hayashida et al 1976 ; Houk and Claxton 1986 ; Houk et al 1989 ; Josephy 2002 ; Prival and Mitchell 1982 ; Reid et al 1984 ; Rosenkranz and Mermelstein 1983 ; Watanabe et al 1990 ). Whether it has been in the development of commercial products ( Zeiger and Margolin 2000 ), the evaluation of industrial products and wastes ( Aguayo et al 2004 ; Bessi et al 1992 ; Brooks et al 1998 ; Claxton et al 1998 ; Ohe et al 2004 ), or substances known to contaminate the environment ( Chen and White 2004 ; Claxton et al 2004 ; Claxton and Woodall 2007 ; White and Claxton 2004 ), the Salmonella assay has been the screening test of choice in genetic toxicology for nearly four decades. Perhaps a new assay will emerge in the coming years that can assess a comprehensive set of predictive biological changes and also have the range of flexibility exhibited by the Salmonella assay.…”

Cytogenetic effects of leachates from tannery solid waste on the somatic cells of Vicia faba

“…Most studies assessing the genotoxicity of industrial effluents or solid-waste leachates have been carried out on Salmonella strains, whereas studies on plant bioassays have been limited (Houk, 1992). Reports on the genotoxicity of leachates of the pesticide, metal, and chemical industries have demonstrated chromosomal aberrations in Allium cepa root meristem cells (Odeigah et al, 1997) and gene mutations in microbial test systems by the leachates of electroplating industries (Bessi et al, 1992). The root meristem cells of plants are sensitive bioindicators of cytogenetic events, as they provide actively proliferating cells, and most plant bioassays are well accepted for measuring the genotoxicity of various environmental pollutants (Ma, 1982).…”

Ecotoxicological assessment of solid wastes: A combined liquid‐ and solid‐phase testing approach using a battery of bioassays and biomarkers

“…In fact, biological response to a complex mixture of chemicals integrates different factors such as pH and solubility, antagonism or synergism, and the bioavailability of substances. In contrast, it is recognized that sole use of a chemistry-based approach has drawbacks in assessing waste environmental toxicity [3][4][5]. Table 1 indicates that only a few studies evaluating toxicity of wastes have really employed a battery of tests [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”