The addition of anthraquinone is thought to
enhance suppression of hydrogen sulfide
in municipal wastewater by perturbing
the mitochondrial electron transport chain
in sulfate reducing bacteria, thus inhibiting
oxidative phosphorylation (respiration).
For this reason, we are often asked
why polyphenolic compounds such as
anthraquinone are not added to Thioguard
to enhance its performance?
Premier's engineers and scientists are very
familiar with polyphenols and work with
these compounds in the appropriate
setting. However our company, and
others, also believe that the addition of
anthraquinone-containing compounds
to municipal wastewater, at any
concentration, presents the potential
for unintended consequences and
needless liability for our company and
our customers.
| Chemical |
CAS No. |
Toxicological
Endpoint |
Listing
Mechanism1 |
| Anthraquinone |
84-65-1 |
Cancer |
AB |
For example, effective September 28,
2007, Anthraquinone (CAS No. 84-
65-1) was listed as a chemical known to
cause cancer in the State of California. The
listing of this chemical is based on formal
identification by an authoritative body
(i.e., the National Toxicology Program
(NTP), that the chemical causes cancer.
The criteria used by OEHHA for the listing
of chemicals under the "authoritative
bodies" mechanism can be found in Title
22, Cal. Code of Regs., section 12306.
Moreover, it has been established that in
an anaerobic wastewater treatment plant,
"if anthraquinone enters with the feed,
an aerobic post-treatment process will
not lead to elimination of the xenobiotic
substrate; on the contrary the already
modified anthraquinone will reappear in
the effluent.2
Ring fission, leading to complete
mineralization of anthraquinone
compounds has been shown not to occur
under conditions commonly found in
municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Agencies opting to use polyphenolics
in water are cautioned to read and
follow label directions carefully. These
compounds have recently been identified
as carcinogenic, and appropriate safety,
insurance and bonding is recommended
to help adequately protect the general
public, as well as the agency opting to
use this chemical.
1Listing mechanism: AB – "authoritative bodies" mechanism (Title 22, Cal. Code of Regs. section 12306)
2 Appl Microbiol Biotechnol (1996) 45:719—722
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