Toxic effects of acute inhalation exposure to 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (pseudocumene) in experimental animals.

Abstract

Neurotoxic and sensory respiratory irritation effects of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (pseudocumene) in male rats and male Balb/C mice were investigated in condition of acute inhalation exposure. Rotarod performance and pain sensitivity behaviour were tested in rats exposed to pseudocumene at concentrations of 1230-9840 mg/m3 (250-2000 ppm) immediately after termination of a four-hour exposure. The respiratory rate was measured in mice by the whole body plethysmographic method in 6 min duration exposure to various concentrations of pseudocumene. Exposure to pseudocumene resulted in concentration-dependent disturbances in rotarod performance, decrease in pain sensitivity in rats and depression of respiratory rate in mice. The EC50 value for rotarod performance behaviour disturbances was 4693 mg/m3 (954 ppm) and for decrease pain sensitivity EC50 was 5682 mg/m3 (1155 ppm). The concentration depressing the respiratory rate to 50% (RD50) was 2843 mg/m3 (578 ppm). As based on RD50 value the MAC values for pseudocumene 85 mg/m3 (17.0 ppm) is suggested.

• Authors: Z Korsak, R Swiercz, K Rydzynski
• Journal: International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health (Int J Occup Med Environ Health) Vol. 8 Issue 4 Pg. 331-7 ( 1995) ISSN: 1232-1087 [Print] Poland
• PMID: 8907411 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzene Derivatives
• pseudocumene

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Animals
• Behavior, Animal
• Benzene Derivatives (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Confidence Intervals
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Nervous System (drug effects)
• Pain Measurement (drug effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Respiratory System (drug effects)