Effects and Interactions of Environmental Chemicals on Human Cells in Tissue Culture

Abstract

The toxicity of environmental chemicals was determined using HeLa cells and human skin fibroblasts. Aspirin, caffeine, a polychlorinated biphenyl plasticizer, carbaryl, parathion, DDT, and several insecticide metabolites were studied. The dosage causing a 50% inhibition in culture growth was determined and the interaction between these chemicals and their effect on protein and nucleic acid synthesis was determined. Both cell types responded nearly equally to the presence of an individual chemical. Aspirin and caffeine were 8 to 20 times less toxic than the other chemicals studied, while the plasticizer was as toxic as DDT. Parathion was more toxic than its metabolite para- oxon. Para-nitrophenol was as toxic as parathion. 1-Naphthol was less toxic than its parent compound carbaryl. The toxicities of DDT and DDE were dependent upon cell type. Little significant interaction on nucleic acid or protein synthesis was seen.