title: The sub-chronic toxicity of regular White Spirit in rats.
abstract: Hydrocarbon solvents are mostly complex substances (UVCB) with carbon numbers in the range of approximately C5-C20. One of the most common types is a C9-C14 aliphatic solvent containing approximately 20% aromatics and commonly known as White Spirit in Europe and mineral spirits in the US. In previous repeated inhalation toxicity studies, White Spirit was reported to cause minimal systemic effects in most animal species with few effects other than male rat-specific kidney changes at levels up to approximately 2000mg/m(3). In the present study male and female rats were exposed to White Spirit vapors, 6h/day, 5days/week for 13weeks at levels of approximately 2000, 4000, or 8000mg/m(3) to assess the potential for effects at higher exposure levels. All of the rats survived the treatment period. In life observations were largely restricted to acute central nervous system (CNS) effects in the high exposure group. Terminal body weights of high exposure groups animals were significantly below control values. Statistically significant differences in the clinical and hematological observations were small and within normal physiological limits. Weights of some organs including liver, spleen and kidneys were elevated, but microscopic examination indicated that the only pathological effects were changes in the kidneys of the male rats, consistent with an α2u-globulin-mediated process, which is gender and species-specific and not relevant to humans. The overall no observed adverse effect level (NOAEC) was 4000mg/m(3).
authors.affiliation: Shell Health, Shell International B.V., P.O. Box 162, 2501 AN The Hague, The Netherlands. Electronic address: juan-carlos.carrillo@shell.com.
authors.forename: Juan-Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carrillo
authors.affiliation: ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc., 1545 Route 22 E., Annandale, NJ 08801, USA.
authors.forename: M David
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Adenuga
authors.affiliation: ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc., 1545 Route 22 E., Annandale, NJ 08801, USA.
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mckee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008297:Male; D019055:No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012737:Sex Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013045:Species Specificity; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D012997:Solvents; C013089:ligroin
keywords: Alkanes; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbon solvent; Inhalation toxicity; Liver enlargement; Occupational exposure limit; Stoddard solvent; Sub-chronic toxicity; UVCB; White spirit