Mammalian toxicity of munitions compounds phase I: Acute oral toxicity, primary skin and eye irritation, dermal sensitization, disposition and metabolism and Ames tests of additional compounds
Ellis, HV; Hodgson, JR; Hwang, SW; Halpap, LM; Helton, DO; Andersen, BS; VanGoethem, DL; Lee, CC
Tests indicated that 3,5-Dinitrotoluene (3,5-DNT) was the most potent of all DNT isomers in oral acute doses to rats and mice. 2-Amino-4, 6-DNT (2-ADNT) and its isomer, 4-ADNT, were the least potent in rats and female mice, and comparable to 2,3-DNT and 2,4-DNT in male mice. 3.5-DNT and 4-ADNT were not irritating to rabbit skin; 2-ADNT was a mild irritant. All three compounds were not irritating to rabbit eyes and not sensitizing to guinea pigs. 3,5-DNT and 4-ADNT were absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, metabolized and excreted in the urine. In the Ames test, 1,3-dinitroglycerin (1,3-DNG), 1-mononitroglycerin (1-MNG), nitrocellulose and white phosphorus were not mutagenic. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) 2,4-DNT, 2,5-DNT, tetranitromethane (TNM) and 1,2-DNG were mutagenic at 10 to 30 microgram/plate in one or more strains. TNM was bactericidal without activation. 1,2-DNG was nonmutagenic with activation. 2,3-DNT, 2,6-DNT, 3,5-DNT, trinitroglycerin and 2-MNG were weakly mutagenic, with mutagenic results at 100 or 1,000 microgram/plate in one or more strains.