The objective of this work is to evaluate, refine, and validate the use of cultured vertebrate cell bioassays coupled with rapid extraction and sample cleanup techniques For application as screening tests for dioxins. The first steps in the toxin mechanism of action of dioxin and related compounds involve binding of the chemicals with a soluble receptor in the cytoplasm of the cells of a vertebrate organism. Bioassays using cultured cells of mammals and fish can be used to detect and quantitate the dioxin-like activity in extracts of environmental samples by taking advantage of this mechanism. Selected gene products resulting from exposure of the cells to the extracts can be measured quantitatively and related to the presence of dioxin-like chemicals. Research will be conducted on several cell lines, comparing them with each other and with chemical analyses of sediments.
Advantages are cost and time savings.
When cleanup and remediation involving soils or sediments contaminated with PAH, PCB, or dioxin are issues, the cells also offer a less expensive alternative to chemistry for monitoring the effectiveness of treatments. Lower costs allow more samples to be assayed, resulting in better characterization of the extent of contamination at a site. Detailed protocols have been written and methods have been compared. A field demonstration is in progress.