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Because of the lack of information about the possible transfer of toxic compounds from papers and boards to food, the overall cytotoxicity induced by six papers and 15 boards was investigated from water extracts prepared according to the European prestandard. Cytotoxicity measurements were based on RNA synthesis rate of human HeLa S3 cells. The tested virgin and recycled papers and boards were differentiated and classified according to their cytotoxicological quality, which ranged from absence of any cytotoxic effect to severe inhibition of RNA synthesis rate. The cytotoxicity level also varied according to the total amount of compounds detected by gas chromatography. No correlation was found between cytotoxicity and endotoxins contained in the samples. No significant difference in cytotoxicity was observed between the papers and boards produced from virgin fibres and from recycled fibres. Moreover, the products obtained from chemical pulp showed lower cytotoxicity than the products based on mechanical pulp. More generally, the cytotoxicological approach is promising for monitoring paper/board treatment-induced problems. Further work is required to assess a modified standard procedure for the preparation of water extractsspecifically adapted to paper/board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]