Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
628173 
Journal Article 
Toxicity studies of certain organic peroxides and hydroperoxides 
Floyd, EP; Stokenger, HE 
1958 
Yes 
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
ISSN: 0002-8894 
NIOSH/00127444 
19 
3 
205-212 
The toxicity of certain organic peroxides was studied in small mammals. Male Wistar-albino-rats, male Swiss-albino-mice, and male New-Zealand-white-rabbits were given methyl-ethyl-ketone-peroxide (1338234) (MEKP), cumene-hydroperoxide (80159), t-butyl-hydroperoxide (75912) (TBHP), and di-t-butyl-peroxide (3849341) (DTBP) in varying doses. These compounds were administered intraperitoneally (ip) and orally to rats; by the inhalation route to both rats and mice; and by direct application to rabbit eye and skin. Lethal doses, physiologic and histopathologic changes, and changes in serum protein and methemoglobin were examined. Of the four compounds studied, MEKP was the most toxic by all five routes of administration. For at least three of the four organic peroxides tested in rats, repeated sublethal doses (either orally or ip) resulted in cumulative effects ending in the death of several animals. All test compounds, except DTBP, were skin and eye irritants. Histopathologic study failed to reveal any site of damage other than in the liver. Changes in the electrophoretic pattern of the serum protein of rabbits, or the presence of methemoglobin in rat blood, could not be conclusively demonstrated. The physiologic changes in the acute tests were mild except for head and neck tremors in rats and mice exposed to DTBP vapor. The most common response to DTBP was weakness and coarse pelage, particularly following ip injections. The authors suggest that, as a group, the organic peroxides (including hydroperoxides) tested should be classed as moderately toxic, although DTBP could be classed as relatively harmless.