Systemic toxicity of coal liquefaction products: results of a 14-day dermal exposure.

Abstract

Increasing energy demands, coupled with rising prices and an unstable world oil market have stimulated international interest in developing alternative sources of fuel. Direct coal liquefaction processes (CLP) hold great potential for Canada because of its large coal reserves. The conversion of coal to liquefied fuels results in many fractions of differing hydrocarbon content and includes many toxic substances such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Since the major route of occupational exposure would be via the dermal route and since studies of systemic toxicity following dermal exposure are lacking, preliminary studies were conducted on the toxicity of SRC-II process coal liquefaction products applied dermally to the rat. Samples of the light (L), intermediate (I), and heavy, (H) fractions produced during the SRC-II coal liquefaction process, were kindly provided by the Sandwell Beak Research Group (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada). Diesel Fuel (D) was purchased from an Esso Gasoline Station. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 +/- 25 grams were used.