Pentachlorotoluene and pentabromotoluene: results of a subacute and a subchronic toxicity study in the rat

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/03601238709372559· OSTI ID:5833096

Chu, I; Villeneuve, D C; McDonald, B; Secours, V E; Valli, V E

Pentachlorotoluene (PCT) and pentabromotoluene (PBT) are environmental contaminants detected in the Great Lakes ecosystem. In view of the paucity of toxicity data and the potential for human exposure, a subacute (28 day) and a subchronic (91 day) study were conducted in the rat. In the subacute study, groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were fed the diet containing PCT or PBT at 0, 0.5, 5.0, 50 or 500 ppm for 28-days. In the subchronic study, the group size was increased to 15, the dose levels were 0, 0.05, 0.5, 5.0, 50 and 500 ppm in the diet and the exposure period was 91 days. Growth rate and food consumption were not affected by exposure to either chemical in the subacute and subchronic study. Clinical observations revealed no abnormalities. Decreased hemoglobin was observed in female rats fed 5.0 ppm PCT and higher levels in the subacute (28 day) study. In the same study the hematocrit value and erythrocyte numbers of females fed 5.0 or 500 ppm PCT diets were significantly lower than the control. In both subacute and subchronic studies mild dose-dependent histopathological changes were observed in the thyroid, liver and kidney of rats fed PCT and PBT diets. In general male rats were more susceptible than females to the treatment of PCT and PBT. Based on these data, it was concluded that the no observable adverse effect level for PCT was 50 ppm in the diet (3.5 mg/kg b.w./day) and that of PBT was 5.0 ppm (0.35 mg/kg b.w./day).

• Research Organization: Environmental and Occupational Toxicology Division, Ottawa, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 5833096
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part B; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part B; (United States) Vol. 22:3; ISSN JPFCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BODY
BROMINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
GREAT LAKES
GROWTH
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCARBONS
KIDNEYS
LAKES
LIVER
MAMMALS
ORGANIC BROMINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RATS
RODENTS
SEX DEPENDENCE
SURFACE WATERS
THYROID
TOLUENE
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES