Evaluation Of The Migration Of Mutagens/Carcinogens From Pet Bottles Into Mineral Water By Tradescantia/Micronuclei Test, Commet Assay On Leukocyctes And Gc/Ms

This study monitored the release of mutagenic/carcinogenic compounds into mineral water (natural & carbinated) from PET bottles, using a plant mutagenicity test which reveals micronuclei formation in Tradescantia pollen cells (Trad/MCN test), a DNA damage assay (Comet assay) on human leukocytes and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for the characterisation of migrants. The water samples were collected at a bottling plant and stored in PET bottles for a period ranging 1-12 months. Every month some samples were randomly collected & lyophilised, the residual powders extracted with organic solvents & then analysed by GC/MS & tested for DNA damage in human leukocytes. Micronuclei increase in pollen was found only in natural mineral water stored for 2 months. DNA-damaging activity was found in many of the natural & carbonated water samples.