title: Toxicity of extracts from disposable chopsticks, toothpicks, and paper cups on L-929 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the toxicity of extracts from disposable chopsticks, toothpicks, and paper cups on L-929 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  We followed national standards to prepare the extracts from disposable chopsticks, toothpicks, and paper cups used for the cell culture media, and the morphology of L-929 cells was observed with an optical microscope. The loss rate for adherent cells was evaluated with the trypan blue exclusion method, and cell proliferation was determined using the WST-1 assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control group, the cells cultured in media containing the extracts showed signs of apoptosis and necrosis after culturing for 4 or 7 days, and the loss rate for adherent cells was significantly increased (P < 0.05). An obvious decrease in cell viability was also observed (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extracts from disposable chopsticks, toothpicks, and paper cups can affect the growth and proliferation of L-929 cells and are potentially toxic to humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Juntao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Sifan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wenxue
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guangyu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002681:China; D002999:Clone Cells; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009336:Necrosis; D010209:Paper; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014934:Wood / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: WST-1 assay; cytotoxicity; cytotoxicité; disposable daily necessities; dosage WST-1; produit de nécessité quotidienne jetable