Toxicological evaluation of the leachate from a closed urban landfill

In this 65 day mouse trial, controls drank tap water while treated mice were supplied with unfiltered leachate from a closed urban landfill. Body weight gain, food intake, and fluid (water or leachate) consumption were similar in both groups. At the end of the trial, there were no treatment related differences in pentobarbital-induced sleep time, SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) levels, or brain, liver and kidney weights. Spleen weight was 74 per cent lower in leachate mice than in controls, but microscopic examination revealed no structural damage. There was also a 43 per cent increase in phencyclidine-induced locomotion in leachate mice relative to controls. Chemical analysis of leachate showed it to contain high concentrations of metals (magnesium, arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, iron, cadmium), some of which had the potential to affect the nervous and immune systems adversely.