[Hygienic evaluation of hydrolytic lignin waste, by using alternative test models]

Chemical analysis showed that lignin samples contained phenols, phenanthrene, and methanol. The highest total content of organic compounds was noted in the lignin samples taken directly at a manufacturing plant. Phenols prevailed in the upper layers of stored lignin samples and methanol predominated in the lower ones. Studies on Tetrahymena pyriformis infusoria indicated that the fresh lignin samples are most toxic. A number of the samples exerted pronounced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects when the mollusks Limneae stagnalis and murine embryonic fibroblasts were examined.