Performic acid toxicity studies on stabilized HEp-2 cells

Since performic acid is used as a potent disinfectant, chemical sterilant and/or skin antiseptics, information related to its toxicity for living tissues was needed to evaluate the degree of its biotolerance and compare it to that of peracetic acid. In tests on cultured HEp-2 cells distinct cytotoxic effects occurred after treatments with 0.05% and higher concentrations. The 0.005% to 0.000,05% concentrations had only minor effects on the morphology of cells, if passaged they were capable of further growth, but were clearly inhibited in their growth ability. The lowest concentration tested (0.000005%) had no appreciable effect on HEp-2 cells. At the same concentration levels, the cells were affected to a greater degree with performic acid than with peracetic acid treatment. The use of cell cultures as a tool to study in vitro toxicity of various materials is discussed.