Induction of genomic DNA damage in mammalian cells by cyanogen halide drinking water disinfection byproducts

ENVR 261

Justin Pals, jpals2@uiuc.edu1, Jessica Wallace, jwallac5@uiuc.edu1, Elizabeth D. Wagner, edwagner@uiuc.edu1, Benito J. Mariñas, marinas@uiuc.edu2, and Michael J. Plewa, mplewa@uiuc.edu1. (1) Department of Crop Sciences, & Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1101 West Peabody Dr, Urbana, IL 61801, (2) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering & Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
Cyanogen chloride (ClCN) and other cyanogen halides are toxic disinfection byproducts (DBPs) commonly found in chloraminated drinking water. Using an in vitro mammalian cell genomic DNA damage assay we are analyzing ClCN, cyanogen bromide (BrCN), cyanogen iodide (ICN) and N-chloraminomethanol (CH2(OH)NHCl). Single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) is a sensitive molecular genetic assay that can quantitatively determine genomic DNA damage and estimate carcinogenic potency. ClCN, BrCN, ICN and CH2(OH)NHCl will be analyzed in a concentration range from 1 µM to 5 mM. After concentration-response curves are generated, the data will be regressed and the SCGE genotoxic potency value will be calculated. This value will be used to compare these emerging DBPs with other DBPs in the database. In addition, structure function relationship (SAR) analysis of the effect of the halogen on the biological activity will be conducted. These data will add to the database on the mammalian cell toxicity of DBPs.