METPAD(TM) - A BIOASSAY FOR RAPID ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY-METAL TOXICITY IN WASTE-WATER

MetPAD(TM), a bioassay for the specific determination of heavy metal toxicity, was evaluated for toxicity assessment of industrial effluents. It was shown that MetPAD does not respond to organic toxicants, but is sensitive to heavy metals. Six of nine industrial effluents were shown to be toxic using MetPAD. Chemical analyses of the industrial effluents confirmed the presence of heavy metals. If run concurrently with another test for general toxicity test (for example, Microtox(TM)), MetPAD can be a suitable complimentary assay for the specific determination of heavy metal toxicity.