Evaluating the Human Health Effects of Hazardous Wastes: Reproduction and Development, Neurotoxicity, Genetic Toxicity and Cancer

摘要

Several approaches are available for characterizing potential toxicity of wastes. The paper describes biological tests which are appropriate for identifying waste as neurotoxic, genotoxic, or likely to produce developmental or reproductive effects. The tests recommended are, for neurotoxicity a functional observational battery, coupled with a measure of motor (bodily movement) activity; for genetic toxicity, the 'Ames' test of mutagenicity in Salmonella and a test of clastogenicity (DNA damage); and for developmental and reproductive toxicity, the Chernoff-Kavlock assay and a multigenerational reproductive assay. In addition, the paper identifies several generic factors which must be considered in performing any evaluations of hazardous wastes.