Toxicological assessment of heat transfer fluids proposed for use in solar energy applications

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(79)90378-8· OSTI ID:5286511

Clark, C R; Marshall, T C; Merickel, B S; Sanchez, A; Brownstein, D G

The rapid expansion of solar technology will result in the introduction of new materials into large numbers of residential dwellings. While some of these materials have been evaluated toxicologically for industrial applications, their use in residential solar energy systems require that they be more closely scrutinized for human health hazards. Twenty-one commercial heat transfer fluids which included ethylene and propylene glycol, silicone oils, and various hydrocarbon oil formulations were evaluated for acute oral toxicity in the rat, dermal and ocular irritation in the rabbit, and mutagenic potential in the Salmonella mutagenicity (Ames) test (TA 1538, TA 98, TA 1538, TA 1537, TA 100). Oral, 24-hr LD50 values ranged from 1.9 g/kg for a polyalkylene glycol formulation to >24 g/kg for most hydrocarbon and silicone oils and propylene glycol-based products. None of the fluids were more than mildly irritating to rabbit skin. One fluid produced reversible corneal damage and transient conjunctivitis was observed in most animals treated with hydrocarbon oil and ethylene glycol formulations. None of the fluids were mutagenic in the Ames test at concentrations ranging from 10 ..mu../g to 100 mg/ml. These results suggest that most of the fluids may be considered relatively safe for use in residential solar energy applications.

• OSTI ID: 5286511
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States), Journal Name: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States) Vol. 51:3; ISSN TXAPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140400 -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
570000 -- Health & Safety
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ALCOHOLS
ANIMALS
BUILDINGS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GLYCOLS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HEATING SYSTEMS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LABORATORY ANIMALS
MUTAGENESIS
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYMERS
PUBLIC HEALTH
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SILICONES
SILOXANES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXICITY