4-chlorophenol

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Acute oral LD50: 1258 mg/kg bw  for male rats and 988 mg/kg bw for female rats; Acute dermal LD50: 1500 mg/kg bw; Acute inhalative  LC50=11 mg/m³

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

988 mg/kg bw

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Value:

11 mg/m³

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

1 500 mg/kg bw

Additional information

In a non-guideline conform but nevertheless well conducted acute oral toxicity study (Flucke and Thyssen, 1981) fasted male Wistar rats were administered 100, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 mg/kg bw test substance, while female rats of the same strains were applied 100, 250, 500, 600, 750, 1000, 1250, 1750, 2000 mg/kg bw 4-chlorophenol by gavage. The animals were observed for 14 days after administration. The acute oral LD50 was calculated to be 1258 mg/kg bw for male rats and 988 mg/kg bw for male rats. The following symptoms of poisoning occurred few minutes after the treatment: general behaviour disturbances (apathy), dyspnoea, convulsions, tremors and abdominal and lateral positions. Dyspnoea, cramps, abdominal and lateral positions were observed in the treatment of live animals up to 24 hours and the disturbance of general condition of up to 6 days after treatment.

A weight of evidence approach was used to determine the acute dermal and inhalation toxicity of 4-chlorophenol. In a non guideline but sufficiently conducted study (Flucke and Thyssen, 1981) the acute dermal toxicity of the test substance was investigated according to the method of Noakes and Sanderson (Brit. J. Ind. Med. 26, 59, 1969)

5 male and female rats were administered 1000, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg bw for 24 hours. The animals were observed for 14 days after administration. The animals were observed for 14 days after administration. No mortalities occurred. The acute dermal LD50 was calculated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg bw. No signs of clinical toxicity were reported. However, Gingell et al., 2001 (Patty´s Toxicology, John Wiley & Sons, p 11) reported the results of acute dermal study conducted in rats. The acute dermal LD50 resulted to be 1500 mg/kg bw.

A non-guideline inhalation study (limit test), which gives sufficient information on inhalation toxicity, was conducted on 5 male and female rats. The animals were exposed to 0.75 g/L of test substance in form of vapour. The animals were observed for 14 days after exposure. No mortality occurred during the study period. Rats showed signs of poisoning during exposure as agitation and slight irritation of nasal mucous membranes. Furthermore a slight increase in physiologically normal body weight was noted. Gross pathology investigation revealed the presence of lung disease ads dark red or grey coloured lungs and swollen region.

Gingell et al., 2001 (Patty´s Toxicology, John Wiley & Sons, p 11) reported the results of acute inhalation study conducted in rats. The acute inhalation LC50 resulted to 11 mg/m³.

Justification for classification or non-classification

The available data on acute toxicity of the test substance meet the criteria for classification as Acute Tox. 4, H302; Acute Tox. 4, H312; Acute Tox. 4, H332 according to Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 and as Xn, R22; Xn, R21; Xn, R20 according to Directive 67/548/EEC.