α,α-dichlorotoluene

Specific investigations: other studies

Administrative data

Endpoint:

specific investigations: other studies

Adequacy of study:

other information

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: 2.e: This study is sufficiently described and based on generally accepted scientific principles. GLP status is unknown. Therefore, this study should be considered as reliable with restrictions.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Structure-Activity Relationship of a Series of Sensory Irritants

Author:

Dudek B.R., Short R.D., Brown M.A. and Roloff M.V.

Year:

1992

Bibliographic source:

J. Toxicol. and Environm. Health., 37, 4, 511-518.

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The authors estimated the potential sensory irritation of benzal chloride in Swiss-Webster mice exposed to a range of vapour concentrations during 10 min by following the decrease in their respiratory rate helped by a plethysmograph.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Type of method:

in vivo

Endpoint addressed:

respiratory irritation

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

α,α-dichlorotoluene

EC Number:

202-709-2

EC Name:

α,α-dichlorotoluene

Cas Number:

98-87-3

Molecular formula:

C7H6Cl2

IUPAC Name:

(dichloromethyl)benzene

Constituent 2

Reference substance name:

Dichloromethylbenzene

EC Number:

249-854-8

EC Name:

Dichloromethylbenzene

Cas Number:

29797-40-8

IUPAC Name:

(dichloromethyl)benzene

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Alpha, Alpha-dichlorotoluene
- Analytical purity: 99% purchased from Aldrich chemical co.
No further data

Test animals

Species:

mouse

Strain:

Swiss Webster

Sex:

male

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

inhalation: vapour

Vehicle:

not specified

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Duration of treatment / exposure:

Exposure period: 10 min

Frequency of treatment:

Once

Post exposure period:

None

No. of animals per sex per dose:

Four different concentrations unknown and four animal per dose

Control animals:

not specified

Results and discussion

Details on results:

The sensory irritation response measured was the average maximum percentage decrease in respiratory rate for four mice simultaneously exposed to vapor of the test chemical. The concentration that caused a 50 % decrease in the respiratory rate from baseline (RD 50) was calculated using least-squares regression analysis and gave a RD50 for benzal chloride of 27 ppm.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

In the test conditions, the authors tested the sensory irritation potential of benzal chloride by following the decrease in the respiratory rate of mice exposed during ten minutes (RD50) to vapour of the substance. They estimated a RD50 around 27 ppm for benzal chloride.
However, at this level of information, no classification of specific target organ toxicity (here respiratory tract) could be done since the exposure period is only ten minutes.

Executive summary:

The authors tested the sensory irritation potential of benzal chloride by following the decrease in the respiratory rate of Swiss-Webster mice (weighing 23 -29 g) exposed during ten minutes (RD50) to vapours of the test substance. Respiratory frequency was monitored by a plethysmograph. The concentration that caused a 50 % decrease in the respiratory rate from baseline was calculated using least-squares regression analysis and gave a RD50 for benzal chloride of 27 ppm. This RD50 reflects the sensory irritation potential according to the authors.

No clear conclusion of the authors was drawn on the real sensory irritation potential of benzal chloride. However, this value may help for a weight of evidence for a classification as a specific target organ toxicant (here respiratory tract) following single exposure category 3.

This study is sufficiently described and is based on recognized scientific principles. Therefore, this study should be considered as reliable with restrictions and acceptable for assessment.