(chloromethyl)vinylbenzene

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Acute oral toxicity

Two rats per dose group were orally treated with 0.126 to up to 1 g/kg bw of the test substance vinylbenzyl chloride in corn oil. After administration of 1 g/kg bw, all test animals died after 1 day, while at a dose of 0.5 g/kg bw only slight initial weight loss but no mortality occurred (KS_Range Finding Toxicological Tests_oral_rat_1955). As no LD50 value was determined, a conservative concentration of 0.5 g/kg bw should be considered as LD50 value. This is supported by another study conducted by Keeler and Wrobleski (SS_Acute toxicity: oral_rat_1977), reporting an LD₅₀ in rats between 630 and 1260 mg/kg bw when vinylbenzyl chloride was administered as a 25% solution in corn oil.

Acute inhalation toxicity

Inhalative exposure to a nominal concentration of 3.66 mg/L (determined as approx. 586 ppm) vinylbenzyl chloride vapour, generated at room temperature, for 405 minutes did not cause mortality or visible lesions. However, after exposure to a nominal concentration of 3.74 mg/L (determined as approx. 600 ppm) vinylbenzyl chloride vapour, generated at 60 °C and cooled at room temperature prior to exposure, for 420 minutes all test animals died within 5 days. Eye and nose irritation was observed at every concentration (KS_acute toxicity: inhalation_vapour_rat_1977). After 4 h exposure to a saturated atmosphere of 800 ppm vinylbenzyl chloride, 1 of 3 rats died, while prolonged exposure for 7 hours caused mortality in 3 of 3 rats (SS_Range Finding Toxicological Tests_inhalation_rat_1955).

In a study conducted by Dreier (SS_acute Vapor Inhalation Toxicity Study_rat_1977), lacrimation was noted among all 10 test rats from 110 minutes to 150 minutes during the exposure period at a nominal concentration of 0.77 mg/L. There were no other reactions observed during exposure or the 14-day observation period which followed. The average 2-week body weight gains were within the normal limits. Complete necropsies were done on all male and female rats used in this experiment when the study was terminated at the end of the 14-day post-exposure observation period. No gross tissue changes attributable to the effects of the test material were observed in any of the rats examined.

As no LC50 was derived from these data, the most conservative level of 3.66 mg/L (approx. 586 ppm) should be considered as LC50 (4h) value.

Acute dermal toxicity

The test material vinylbenzyl chloride was found to be markedly irritating and damaging to skin on prolonged or repeated contact. It had a moderate acute toxicity by skin absorption. After 24 hours skin contact / absorption at a dose of 0.5 g/kg bw (10% solution in propylene glycol), no death and no apparent effect other than extensive scab and scar formation was noted in 2 out of 2 exposed animals. At a dose level of 1 g/kg bw 2 test animals died within 1 day (KS_range Finding Toxicological Tests_dermal_rabbit_1955). Therefore, 0.5 g/kg bw is considered as LD50 value.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

500 mg/kg bw

Quality of whole database:

Reliable studies with acceptable restrictions

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Value:

3 660 mg/m³ air

Quality of whole database:

Reliable studies with acceptable restrictions (an approximate LC50 value is provided).

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

500 mg/kg bw

Quality of whole database:

Reliable studies with acceptable restrictions

Justification for classification or non-classification

Two rats per dose groups were orally treated with different doses of the test substance vinylbenzyl chloride in corn oil. At a concentration of 1 g/kg bw all test animals died after 1 day. At a dose of 0.5 g/kg bw only slight initial weight loss occurred, at 0.252 g/kg bw moderate irritation of the stomach and slight kidney pathology was noted and at a dose of 0.126 g/kg bw slight irritation of the stomach and no other symptoms were noted (KS_range Finding Toxicological Tests_oral_rat_1955). Conclusively, the substance is classified in Cat. 4 (H302: Harmful if swallowed) of acute oral toxicity in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).

After inhalative exposure at a nominal concentration of 3.66 mg/L for 405 minutes of vinylbenzyl chloride no mortality was observed and no visible lesion. At 3.74 mg/L for 420 minutes all test animals died within 5 days after exposure, and at a concentration of 31.55 mg/L for 255 minutes the animals died during exposure. The observed acute inhalative toxicity corresponds to a classification in Cat. 3 (H331: Toxic if inhaled) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).

The material was found to be markedly irritating and damaging to skin on prolonged or repeated contact. It had a moderate acute toxicity by skin absorption. After 24 hours skin exposure at a dose of 0.5 g/kg bw (10% solution in propylene glycol), no death and no apparent effect other than extensive scab and scar formation was noted in 2 out of 2 exposed animals. At a dose level of 1 g/kg bw 2 of 2 test animals died within 1 day. Based on these observations, the test substance vinylbenzyl chloride was classified as Cat. 3 (H311: Toxic if in contact with skin) acute dermal toxicity (KS_range Finding Toxicological Tests_dermal_rabbit_1955) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).