Detection of genotoxic activity in native hospital waste water by the umuC test.
The genotoxic potential of the waste water of a hospital was evaluated by the umuC test. Within 2 years over 800 native waste water samples were analysed. Genotoxic activity was found in 13% of the samples. The highest genotoxic activity occurred in the morning hours, but genotoxic samples were detected also during the day and at night. 96% of the genotoxic waste water samples revealed a genotoxic potential without growth inhibition of test bacteria monitored as OD600, in the same way as antineoplastic drugs like mitomycin C or cisplatin. 4% of the genotoxic waste water samples showed combined cytotoxic and genotoxic activities as seen in control experiments using glutaraldehyde containing disinfectants and certain antibiotics.
Giuliani
F
F
Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Environmental Sciences, ETH-Hönggerberg HPM, Zürich, Switzerland.
Koller
T
T
Würgler
F E
FE
Widmer
R M
RM
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D006761:Hospitals; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity; D010957:Plasmids; D018505:Waste Management; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D009153:Mutagens; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C078202:UmuC protein, E coli; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase