Studies on dermal, ocular and respiratory effects of 4-ethyltoluene in experimental animals.
The toxicity of 4-ethyltoluene to experimental animals was studied after single and repeated exposures. It was found that 4-ethyltoluene can be classified as a very mild skin and eye irritant. Sensory respiratory irritation of 4-ethyltoluene was studied in Balb/C male mice using the plethysmographic method. The concentration at which the respiratory rate decreased to 50% (RD50 value) was determined to be 4216 mg/m3 (2795-5850 mg/m3 for 95% confidence interval). To study repeated-dose inhalation toxicity, male and female outbred Wistar rats were exposed in a dynamic inhalation chamber to 4-ethyltoluene vapours at concentrations of 477 or 2337 mg/m3, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks (20 exposure days). No significant changes were observed in food consumption and body weight gain. Statistically significant, concentration-dependent changes in the number of total cells, as well as of macrophages, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes were found in bronchoalveolar lavage. In the fluid of bronchoalveolar lavage, a significant, concentration-related increase was noted in total protein and mucoproteins and the activity of beta-glucuronidase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase. Histopathology revealed an increased rate of bronchitis and pneumonia and perivascular lymphoid infiltrations in rats exposed to 2337 mg/m3 of 4-ethyltoluene.
Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, PO Box 199, 90-950 Łódź, Poland.
R
R
Swiercz
K
K
Rydzyński
J
J
Jajte
J
J
Stetkiewicz
W
W
Majcherek
D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D014050:Toluene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity*
D014050:Toluene; C108160:4-ethyltoluene