Abstract
Groups of rats and mice were exposed to 100, 10, and 1 parts per billion (ppb) of bis(chloromethyl)ether (BMCE) 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 6 months and subsequently observed for the duration of their natural lifespan. Evaluation of groups of rats sacrificed at the end of the 6-month exposure period revealed no abnormalities in hematology, exfoliative cytology of lung washes, or cytogenetic parameters of bone marrow cells. However, 86.5% of the surviving rats which had been exposed to 100 ppb of BCME subsequently developed nasal tumors (esthesioneuroepithelioma) and approximately 4% of the rats developed pulmonary adenomas. This tumorigenic response was not observed in rats exposed to 10 or 1 ppb of BCME. Mice exposed to 100 ppb of BCME did not develop nasal tumors, but showed a significant increase in incidence of pulmonary adenomas over the control mice. Mice exposed to 10 or 1 ppb of BCME did not show a significant increase in incidence of pulmonary adenomas. These data demonstrated the existence of nontumorigenic or no-observable-effect-levels of BCME vapor for a 6-month inhalation exposure in rats and mice.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call