Abstract
An assessment of the genotoxic effect of paint effluent (waste water from paint industry) using the Allium test was done. Different concentrations of effluent (100%, 75%, 50% and 25%) were made and tested using the aceto-orcein squash technique with tap water as control. Slides were observed under the microscope (x100). Result showed mitotic inhibition which was concentration-dependent. The mitotic index was 9.80% for control, but was lower for other concentrations: 25% (8.97%), 50% (7.34%), 75% (5.67%) and 100% (3.93%). Chromosomal aberrations induced by different concentrations of effluent such as bridged chromosome, vagrant chromosome, C-mitosis, laggards and sticky chromosomes were observed. These results showed that paint effluent has genotoxic potential and is capable of affecting the biosynthesis of DNA especially when absorbed at high concentrations for a long period of time.