Interaction of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, and other microorganisms, with 10,10 '-oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA)

The fungicide 10,10'-oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA) is widely used in consumer p roducts, such as shower curtains, wall coverings and carpets, A possibility exists that microorganisms might be able to degrade OBPA to produce volati le trimethylarsine, If this did occur, then in certain situations enough tr imethylarsine might be produced to be a hazard, In this study, we cultured microorganisms in medium containing OBPA, and examined the medium for possi ble degradation products, We used Scopulariopsis brevicaulis in one experim ent, because this microorganism is known for its ability to biomethylate ar senic, OBPA-tolerant microorganisms, isolated from a soil contaminated with arylarsenic compounds, were used in a second series of experiments, We fou nd no evidence of complete microbiological cleavage of aryl-arsenic bonds i n any of the cultures, and no significant amount of trimethylarsine was det ected in the headspace of S. brevicaulis cultures, Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.