Water quality criteria for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (USA)
The occurrence of the munitions compound 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in groundwater and surface water surrounding U.S. Army ammunition plants may result in contamination of local drinking water supplies. TNT exerts its primary toxic effect in humans on the hematologic system and liver, but it is also known to cause gastrointestinal effects and cataracts. Health effects data were analyzed for TNT and although no controlled human studies exist concerning the acute or chronic toxic effects of exposure to TNT, sufficient animal toxicity data are available to derive an ambient water quality criterion for the protection of human health. This paper summarizes the available literature on metabolism and toxicity of TNT in humans and animals. Based on noncarcinogenic mammalian toxicity data, and following the methodologies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an ambient water quality criterion for the protection of human health of 135 micrograms/liter is proposed when consumption of both contaminated water and fish is anticipated. For drinking water alone, the proposed criterion is 140 micrograms/liter. 36 references.
- OSTI ID:
- 6871964
- Journal Information:
- Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology; (USA), Vol. 11:2; ISSN 0273-2300
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Comparison of water quality criteria and health advisories for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
Development of water quality criteria and screening benchmarks for 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
NITRO COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
WATER QUALITY
STANDARDS
WATER SUPPLY
CONTAMINATION
MAMMALS
MAN
METABOLISM
REVIEWS
TOLUENE
US EPA
WATER POLLUTION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HYDROCARBONS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
US ORGANIZATIONS
VERTEBRATES
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety