Toxicity of chemicals in paper factory effluents

Abstract

Considerable amounts of toxic substances are discharged from pulp and paper factories and among these pentachlorophenol (PCP) is very common. This research demonstrates that PCP is as toxic to fish as the dangerous, previously used slimecides containing mercury, and less efficient as a controllant of slime organisms. The resistance of the fish guppy to the sodium salt, Na-PCP, is shown to increase after acclimation to sublethal levels. This may lead to increased tolerance of accumulated PCP in the organism where severe metabolic distortions, delayed sexual maturity and increased mortality may result. This research seems to indicate that the use of PCP should be restricted in a manner similar to mercuric compounds to ensure the survival of fish life downstream from paper manufacturing processes.