TESTING OF CHLORINATED SOLVENTS ON MICROFUNGI

In order to avoid the use of a sophisticated method for the determinat ion of 3 volatile solvents (dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, and perchloroethylene) in the atmosphere, an alternative method was tentat ively developed for the evaluation of their toxicity toward micromycet es isolated from the biological communities present in the sediments o f aquatic microcosms. Survival of the microorganisms was determined by establishing the minimum lethal time,, at saturation in a vessel satu rated with vapors. The method allows one to look for the development o f an induction or a sensitization and can be used for any other volati le xenobiotic. (C) 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.