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Abstract
ρ-Nitrobenzylchloride (p-NBC, G4S no. 700–74–7) was tested for its inhalation toxicity to rats following both single and repeated exposures. One of 6 rats exposed a single time to 280 mg/m3 died, as did 4 of 6 exposed to 7300 mg/m3. The material is considered moderately toxic following acute inhalation. The only adverse response in rats exposed to 6 mg/m3, 6 h/day, 5 days/wk for 2 wk was irritation to the nasal epithelium. Rats exposed to 20 mg/m3 showed decreased rate of weight gain, altered liver enzyme activity without anatomic pathology, and irritation of the nasal cavity. Rats exposed to 60 mg/m3 did not tolerate the exposure regimen, with 2 of 10 rats dying. The number of exposures in this group was reduced from 70 to 7. These rats showed evidence of distress (weight loss, lethargy, breathing difficulties) as exposures continued. The target tissues at this concentration were the nasal and tracheal epithelium, with the lesions being more pronounced than seen at the lower concentrations tested. A no-observed-adverse-effect level was not determined but the lowest concentration tested, 6 mg/m3, produced only a very mild response in rats.