Eastern white pine wood-drying condensate induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.

Condensate from eastern white pine, one of the commercially most important species of tree in the northeastern United States, was treated for potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the absence of S-9 activation. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by mitotic index (MI) determination and proliferative rate index. Genotoxicity was measured by the chromosome aberration (CA) assay and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) analysis. Both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were observed with laboratory-generated eastern white pine condensate. The MI data showed an inverse correlation between the MI and treatment dosage. A dose response curve was observed using the CA assay and also with the SCE analysis. The present findings thus corroborate the results from Ames testing and represent the only information currently available on the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of these chemicals.