Application of the cell growth and DNA-inhibition tests for characterizing sulfate pulp mill waste waters.

The evaluation of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of selected technological samples from sulfate pulp mill waste waters by using the growing activity method for pseudodiploid fibroblasts V79 from lungs of the Chinese hamster and from human heteroploid fibroblasts EUE has been described along with the DNA-inhibition test for studying the synthesis of DNA after it has been influenced by the above-mentioned samples. Both the waste solution produced during the preparation of bleaching agents and the liquor generated after using hypochlorite (1st stage) as a fourth filter (after the production of paper pulp) are cytotoxic waste waters. Black liquor generated during the production of viscose pulp may have mutagenic effects and black liquor obtained from the production of paper pulp is characterized by mutagenic as well as carcinogenic effects.