Propiononitrile

Acute Toxicity: inhalation

Administrative data

Endpoint:

acute toxicity: inhalation

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with national standard methods with acceptable restrictions

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1978

Report date:

1978

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 403 (Acute Inhalation Toxicity)

Deviations:

not specified

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test type:

acute toxic class method

Limit test:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Propiononitrile

EC Number:

203-464-4

EC Name:

Propiononitrile

Cas Number:

107-12-0

Molecular formula:

C3H5N

IUPAC Name:

propanenitrile

Test material form:

liquid

Test animals

Species:

rat

Strain:

Sprague-Dawley

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

Average temperature inside the chamber between 24-25 degree Celsius. Average relative humidity inside chamber was 70%.

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

inhalation: vapour

Type of inhalation exposure:

whole body

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on inhalation exposure:

The animals were placed in cages and the cages suspended in the middle of a 210-litre drum-like chamber. The chamber was equipped with the circulating fan (6-inch blade) and a glass window. The sample was introduced into the chamber through a special port by a means of a glass syringe fitted with a g 27 needle. During the delivery of a sample the sample was spread towards the chamber to facilitate evaporation. The circulating fan was operated at maximum speed during the introduction of a sample and for an additional two minutes. No supplementary air was introduced in as much as the volume of the air in the chamber was ample for the requirement of oxygen for the animals.

Analytical verification of test atmosphere concentrations:

not specified

Duration of exposure:

4 h

Remarks on duration:

Exposure to the test substance lasted 4 hours, observations were made for 14 days.

Concentrations:

1.58, 2.51, 3.98, 6.31, 10.0, 15.8 mg/L.

No. of animals per sex per dose:

5

Control animals:

not specified

Results and discussion

Effect levels

Key result

Sex:

male/female

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect level:

3.3 mg/L air

Based on:

test mat.

95% CL:

>= 2.6 - <= 4.3

Exp. duration:

4 h

Mortality:

Five out of five males died following exposure to 2.51 mg/L of the test substance (1 died in <4 hours and 4 in 1 day). Five out of five males died following exposure to 2.51 mg/L (2 died in <4 hours, 1 in one day, 1 in 2 days, and 1 in 13 days). Five out of five males died in <4 hours of exposure to 6.31, 10 and 15.8 mg/L of the test substance. Three out of five females died (1 < 4 hours; 2 in 1 day) following exposure to 6.31 mg/L of the test substance. Five out of five females died following exposure to 10 mg/L (in 1 day) and 15.8 mg/L (in <4 hours).

Clinical signs:

other: Salivation, lethargy, increased weakness, tremors and convulsions, collapse and death.

Gross pathology:

Decedents had haemorrhagic lungs, liver discoloration (mottled in some) and acute gastrointestinal inflammation.
In survivors (14 days) viscera appeared normal.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Inhalation of propionitrile vapors by male and female rats.

Concentration of the substance (mg/L)	Male mortality (number/total)	Female mortality (number/total)	Total mortality (number/total)
1.58	0/5	0/5	0/10
2.51	5/5 (1<4 hours; 4 in 1 day)	0/5	5/10
3.98	5/5*	0/5	5/10
6.31	5/5 < 4 hours	3/5 (1 < 4 hours; 2 in 1 day)	8/10
10.0	5/5 < 4 hours	5/5 < 1 day	10/10
15.8	5/5 < 4 hours	5/5 < 4 hours	10/10

* 2 dead in <4 hours, 1 in one day, 1 in 2 days, and 1 in 13 days.

LC50: 3.3 mg/L; 95% confidence limits: 2.6 -4.3 mg/L; Slope: 4.1.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:

Category 3 based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

The LC50 for males and females was considered to be 3.3 mg/L.

Executive summary:

The substance was used in an in vivo acute inhalation toxicity study using male and female rats (n=5/sex). The animals were exposed to 1.58, 2.51, 3.98, 6.31, 10.0 and 15.8 mg/L of the test substance in a vapour form. The sample was introduced into the chamber through a special port by a means of a glass syringe. Five out of five males died following exposure to 2.51 mg/L of the test substance (1 died in <4 hours and 4 in 1 day). Three out of five females died (1 < 4 hours; 2 in 1 day) following exposure to 6.31 mg/L of the test substance. The LC50 for males and females was considered to be 3.3 mg/L.