ABSTRACT
Objective To study the p53 gene mutation induced by organic extract of reclaimed water used in a city. Methods The organic extract of reclaimed water was collected by C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) and the 16 kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the reclaimed water were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). L-02 cells were treated with the organic extract of the reclaimed water at 0.84, 1.68, 3.34 ?l/ml for 24 h. DNA samples for p53 mutation detection was extracted from the cells and subjected to DNA sequencing for detection of mutations in exon 5 of the p53 gene. Results All 16 kinds of PAHs were detected both in input water and reclaimed water. The predominant ones were fluorene and phenanthrene,then naphthalene, acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene and so on. Total PAHs concentration was 1 777.9 ng/L in the input water and 1380.1 ng/L in the reclaimed water. Mutation in exon 5 within the p53 gene was detected in L-02 cells treated with the organic extract of the water. Conclusion PAHs in water can be removed by sewage treatment technology at present, but the remaining PAHs can still induce the mutation of p53 gene, so using reclaimed water has some potential health impacts, the sewage treatment technology employed today should be improved.