Toxicological evaluation of the leachate from a closed urban landfill

Landfilling is one of the commonly used methods of disposal of solid wastes in small and medium size municipalities. Leachate produced in the landfills can contaminate underground sources of water. Though precautionary measures to reduce the risk of leachate migration into underground sources of water are included in the selection of sites for landfilling and in their design and construction, the risk of contamination is not completely eliminated. Though chemical and in vitro toxicity tests on leachates have been conducted, not many studies are related to long-term toxicity of leachate in animal models. Therefore, toxicological evaluation of leachates is needed in order to predict possible undesirable effects of consumption of leachate-contaminated water on human populations. In this study, leachate obtained from a close landfill, which served a city population of about 60,000, was evaluated for its toxicity to mice. Animals were given leachate as drinking water for 65 days, and general toxicity to selected end points was observed.