Acute toxicity tests on raw leachate from a Malaysian dumping site.
Leachate samples collected from the Ampar Tenang open dumping site at Dengkil, Malaysia, were analyzed for acute toxicity. Two in vivo toxicity tests, Acute Oral Toxicity (AOT) and Primary Skin Irritation (PSI), were performed using Sprague Dawley rats and New Zealand Albino rabbits, respectively. The leachate samples were also analyzed chemically for nitrate and phosphate, ammonia-nitrogen, Kjeldahl-nitrogen and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Results from both the AOT and PSI tests showed that the leachate did not contribute to acute toxicity. The AOT test yielded a negative result: no effect was observed in at least half of the rat population. The PSI test on rabbits produced effects only at a leachate concentration of 100%. However, the skin irritation was minor, and the test returned a negative result. The four chemical tests showed high levels of nutrient pollution in the leachate. The nitrate and phosphate concentrations were 2.1 mg/L and 23.6 mg/L, respectively. Further, the ammonia-nitrogen concentration was 1,000 mg NH(3)-N/L the Kjeldahl-nitrogen level was 446 mg NH(3)-N/L, and the Chemical Oxygen Demand was 1,300 mg/L. The in vivo toxicity and chemical analyses showed that the leachate is polluted but not acutely toxic to organisms.
Sujá
Fatihah
F
Civil and Structural Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi Selangor, Malaysia. fati@vlsi.eng.ukm.my
Yusof
Arij
A
Osman
Md Anuar
MA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D023422:Skin Irritancy Tests; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical