Ecotoxicity of nitroaromatics to aquatic and terrestrial species at Army Superfund sites
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States). Chemical Hazard Evaluation Group
Nitroaromatic compounds, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, RDX, HMX, tetryl, and associated degradation products, are released into the environment during the manufacturing, loading, packing, and assembling of munitions at US Army Ammunition Plants. With the exception of 2A46DNT, nitroaromatic compounds are more toxic to freshwater fishes than to freshwater invertebrates. Rainbow trout are the most sensitive test species with LC{sub 50} values ranging from 0.43 to 6.4 mg/L for TNT, RDX, and HMX. These compounds produce negative effects on reproductive endpoints in terrestrial mammals at doses >1 mg/kg/day. Limited data indicate that nitroaromatics are not toxic to terrestrial plants and soil invertebrates. Additional studies need to be undertaken to completely characterize the toxicity of these compounds; however, the criteria and screening benchmarks presented in this paper can be used to assess the risks to indigenous flora and fauna at Army Superfund sites.
- OSTI ID:
- 516793
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9604217-; ISBN 0-8031-2474-0; TRN: 97:014603
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. Environmental toxicology and risk assessment: modeling and risk assessment, Orlando, FL (United States), 15-18 Apr 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Environmental toxicology and risk assessment: Modeling and risk assessment (sixth volume); Dwyer, F.J.; Doane, T.R.; Hinman, M.L. [eds.]; PB: [570] p.; ASTM STP 1317
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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