Abstract
Boron is widely distributed in environment. Recent investigations have been revealed toxicities of inorganic boron-containing compounds. In Sapporo City in Japan, Jyozankei Hot Spring water including high concentration (approximately 40 mg/L) boron has mixed with river water of Toyohira River which is main source of tap water supply (about 98%). In this study, to investigate effects of boron on human health in Sapporo City, seasonal changes of boron concentrations in the river water were investigated in several points. Moreover cell toxicity of boron was investigated using the PC12 cells for 72 hr and 30 days. As the results, the river water contained more than 1.0 mg/L boron was supplied for tap water especially in November. In addition, when over 1.0 mg/L boron was exposed to the cells, cell viabilities decreased significantly. This cell death was considered to be depending on DNA damage due to necrosis by boron treatment.
