Water quality criteria for 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 2,6-dinitrotoluene: Final report

Technical Report · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5819949

Etnier, E L

Based on the evidence of an increased incidence of hepatic carcinomas and hepatic neoplastic nodules in male rats, the recommended criteria to achieve a human health risk of 10/sup -5/, 10/sup -6/, or 10/sup -7/ for 2,4-dinitrotoluene are 1.7, 0.17, and 0.017 ..mu..g/L, respectively. It should be noted that the 2,4-DNT used in the bioassay from which the criteria were calculated was 98% pure, with the remaining 2% comprised of predominantly 2,6-DNT. The possible influence of 2,6-DNT on the results of this study should not be overlooked. Results from a tumor bioassay suggest that pure 2,4-DNT is not carcinogenic, but limitations of the study preclude a definitive statement regarding the carcinogenicity of 2,4-DNT. There are no studies available documenting the systemic toxicity of pure 2,4-DNT, and thus no acceptable daily intake can be calculated. The water quality criterion for 2,6-DNT is derived from the data showing an increased incidence of hepatic carcinomas in male Fischer 344 rats. It should be noted that exogenous factors in the diet can affect the carcinogenicity of the DNT isomers, enhancing the metabolism and hepatic covalent binding of 2,6-DNT in particular. However, 2,6-DNT is unquestionably a potent hepatocarcinogen, and criteria based on this study will give a conservative estimate of the acceptable cancer risk. The recommended criteria to achieve a risk of 10/sup -5/, 10/sup -6/, or 10/sup -7/ for 2,6-dinitrotoluene are 68.3, 6.8, and 0.68 ng/L, respectively. 158 refs., 2 figs., 23 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5819949
• Report Number(s): ORNL-6312; ON: DE88000985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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