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APPLICATION OF A PLAN TEST SYSTEM IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL GENETIC HAZARDS AT CHEMICAL WASTE SITES
Citation:
Gill, B., S. Sandhu, L. Backer, AND B. Casto. APPLICATION OF A PLAN TEST SYSTEM IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL GENETIC HAZARDS AT CHEMICAL WASTE SITES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-91/275 (NTIS PB92124551), 1991.
Description:
We have utilized the Tradescantia micronucleus (Trad-MCN) assay for evaluating genetic hazards at a chemical waste site contaminated with agricultural insecticides scheduled for clean-up under the Superfund program. he chemical analysis of soil samples from the site indicates presence of lindane (17 mg/kg), beta BHC (13 mg/kg), and heptachlor (0.4 mg/kg) in the subsurface sample. radescantia plants were planted at five locations to evaluate the mutagenic effects of the total environment, i.e., soil, water, and air. n addition, stem cuttings were also placed at these locations to sample the genetic impact of vapor phase organics in the atmosphere. he surface and subsurface samples were obtained from these locations for their chemical and biological analysis In the laboratory. oncurrent laboratory and field controls were maintained in Durham, NC. he results of the Traescantia planted on the site, as well as the stem cuttings exposed on the test site, showed significantly higher frequencies of micronuclei from contaminated plots before remediation; but no genetic activity was detected after the remedial action. he plants exposed to the soil samples in the laboratory yielded nonsignificant results except for one subsurface sample before remediation and two surface samples after remediation. rom comparison of plants exposed in the laboratory and under natural conditions, we concluded that genetically effective levels of volatile organics here present at the site before remediation. his study demonstrates the utility of simple bioassays for detecting environmental hazards at chemical waste sites.