Subacute inhalation toxicity of benzaldehyde in the Sprague-Dawley rat.
Benzaldehyde was administered by inhalation to female and male Sprague-Dawley rats for 14 consecutive days (low level: 500 ppm; medium level: 750 ppm; high level: 1000 ppm). Effects of this chemical were investigated during and at the end of the exposure period. Throughout the experiment, significant hypothermia and a reduction of motor activity were observed in all rats exposed to benzaldehyde and were accompanied in high-level rats by a severe impairment of the central nervous system, as evidenced by abnormal gait, tremors, and a positive Straub sign. Histopathologic examination of tissues from exposed rats showed a goblet cell metaplasia that was largely confined to the respiratory epithelium lining the nasal septum in male rats. No other abnormal microscopic changes were observed. A no effect level was not observed in these studies.
Laham
S
S
Health Protection Branch, Health and Welfare Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Broxup
B
B
Robinet
M
M
Potvin
M
M
Schrader
K
K
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D001547:Benzaldehydes; C032175:benzaldehyde