Effect of Dermal Exposure to Paraphenylenediamine and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate in Guinea Pigs

To study the effects of paraphenylenediamine （PPD） and linear alkylbenzene sulphonate （LAS） alone and in combination on the skin. Methods Forty-eight guinea pigs were divided equally into 4 groups and exposed to PPD （4 mg/kg）, LAS （12 mg/kg） and PPD （4 mg/kg） plus LAS （12 mg/kg） for 30 days. The biochemical parameters such as acid phosphatase, gtutathione-s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, lipid peroxidafion and histamine contents in exposed skin were estimated. The histopathological examination of the exposed skin was also carried out. Results The skin enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and histamine increased while glutathione decreased in skin. The simultaneously exposed group showed additive toxic effects. The histopathological examination showed severe hyperkeratosis, thickening of collagen fibres and vacuolisation of epidermal cells in PPD plus LAS exposed skin. Conclusion The findings of the present study suggest that simultaneous exposure to PPD and LAS has additive toxic effects.

Commercial Laundry Water Characterisation

Surfactants are the major active ingredients of laundry detergents. Therefore, special attention should be focused on the treatment and disposal of laundry wastewater. The aim of this study was to characterise the wastewater from a commercial laundry over 30 days. Physicochemical analyses were performed, monitoring the content of nitrogen, phosphate, heavy metals, linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS), volatile organic acids and alcohols. The pH was approximately 5.6 and the COD approximately 4800 mg·L-1. The average concentrations of sulphate, sulphide, N-ammoniacal organic nitrogen compounds and heavy metals were below the maximum limit, in accordance with local and national environmental legislation, and the average total suspended solids was 0.08 g·L-1. Among the metals analysed, iron was observed with the highest concentrations (0.037 mg·L-1 and 0.72 mg·L-1). Phosphate was detected in 93% of samples (94.65 mg·L-1 average). LAS was detected in all samples (12.24 mg·L-1 to 1023.7 mg·L-1). Thirty-three different xenobiotic organic compounds were identified in the laundry wastewater with the qualitative screening. The major groups of the compounds were fragrances, preservatives, solvents and some surfactants. Although the characterisation indicated low values for many parameters, this does not eliminate the need for specific treatment before its disposal at the sewage system.