Methemoglobinemia and

Acute intoxication with DHBs occurs mainly by the oral route symptoms are close to those induced by phenol poisoning including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tachypnea, pulmonary edema, and CNS excitation with possibiUty of seizures followed by CNS depression. Convulsions are more frequent with catechol as well as hypotension due to peripheral vasoconstriction. Hypotension and hepatitis seem more frequent with hydroquinone and resorcinol. Methemoglobinemia and hepatic injury may be noted within a few days after intoxication by DHBs. 

Bodansky, O. 1951. Methemoglobinemia and methemoglobin producing compounds. Pharmacol. Rev. 3 144-196. 

Burgess, B.A., T.P.Pastoor, and G.L.Kennedy, Jr. 1984. Aniline induced methemoglobinemia and hemolysis as a function of exposure concentration and duration. Toxicologist 4 64. 

As noted under Mechanisms of Toxicity (Section 4.2), nitrate and nitrite esters are vasodilators with resulting hypotension (Nickerson 1975). Therapeutic doses of nitroglycerin for relief of angina are associated with headaches of vascular origin. Both PGDN and the structurally related ethylene glycol dinitrate produce headaches in humans and methemoglobinemia and hypotension in rats (Andersen and Mehl 1979). 

Dinitrobenzene is an intermediate employed in chemical syntheses of a large number of compounds used in the dye, explosives and plastics industry. The compound is known to induce methemoglobinemia and to cause testicular toxicity with the Sertoli cell being the major target. Nitro reduction was observed in erythrocytes, in rat Sertoli-germ cell cocultures and in rat testicular subcellular fractions, and it was shown that 3-nitrosonitrobenzene was formed that was considerably more toxic. Testicular toxicity was enhanced when the intracellular thiol levels were reduced by pretreatment with diethylmaleate. In turn, pretreatment with cysteamine or ascorbate reduced the toxicity of 1,3-dinitrobenzene and 3-nitrosonitrobenzene. 

Polynitroaromatic compounds are used as explosives. They are toxic and might cause liver damage, methemoglobinemia and uncoupling of the oxidative phosphorylation process. Trace analyses of polynitroaromatic residues in groundwater, surface water, rainwater... 

DNB was applied to the backs of 3 cats (White and Hay 1901). All three developed classical symptoms of methemoglobinemia and cyanosis. 

Toxicology. Methyl hydrazine causes respiratory irritation, methemoglobinemia, and convulsions it is carcinogenic in experimental animals. 

In a fatal human exposure, a worker engaged in emptying metal gas cylinders of methyl mercaptan was found comatose at the work site he developed expiratory wheezes, elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, and marked rigidity of extremities. Methemoglobinemia and severe hemolytic anemia developed with hematuria and proteinuria but were brief in duration deep coma persisted until death due to pulmonary embolus 28 days after exposure. It was determined that the individual was deficient in erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which was the likely cause of the hemolysis and formation of methemoglobin. 

In a continuous breeding study in mice reproductive and fertility parameters were not affected by gavage administration of ONCB even in the presence of systemic toxicity (significant methemoglobinemia and increased spleen and liver weights). Decreased spermatogenesis has been reported after inhalation exposure in rats and mice. 

Toxicology. Perchloryl fluoride is an irritant of mucous membranes in animals it causes methemoglobinemia and pulmonary edema. 

No biomarkers of effects caused by cresols have been identified in humans or animals. It may be possible to use methemoglobinemia and Heinz body formation, which precede hemolytic anemia in humans (Chan et al. 1971 Cote et al. 1984), as biomarkers for the hemolytic effects of cresols, although these changes may be too general and occur at too high doses to be useful for this purpose. 

No biomarkers of effect have been identified for cresols. Studies designed to investigate subtle effects might discern these biomarkers, which would enable finer delineation of the dose-response relationship for an effect and allow better estimation of the levels of cresols to which people could be exposed without risk. Case reports in humans have reported methemoglobinemia and Heinz body formation that may be predictive of hemolytic anemia (Chan et al. 1971 Cote et al. 1984). 

Tarcan A, Lambert H, Laprevote-Heully MC. 1974. [A case of acute cresol poisoning with massive acute hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, and Heinz bodies.] Eur J Toxicol 7 5-8. (French)... 

Percutaneous drug absorption can present special problems in newborns, especially in preterm infants. While the skin of a newborn term infant may have the same protective capacity as the skin of an adult, a preterm infant will not have this protective barrier until after 2 to 3 weeks of life. Excessive percutaneous absorption has caused significant toxicity to preterm babies. Absorption of hexachlorophene soap used to bathe newborns has resulted in brain damage and death. Aniline dyes on hospital linen have caused cyanosis secondary to methemoglobinemia, and EMLA (lidocaine/prilocaine) cream may cause methemoglobinemia when administered to infants less than 3 months of age. 

The sulfones can produce nonhemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, and sometimes acute hemolytic anemia in persons with a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Within a few weeks of therapy some... 

Chronic human exposure to NG is characterized by methemoglobinemia and the development of tolerance to the drug. Withdrawal from frequent exposure to NG causes severe headaches, Monday head , among munitions workers... 

Because of its intense yeUow color and low toxicity, riboflavin is widely used as a food color (E-fOf). It is also used in relatively high doses in the treatment of recessive famUial methemoglobinemia and some organic acidurias. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 5.1 Label Oxidizer SAFETY PROFILE An experimental teratogen. A powerful oxidizer. Severe irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Has been implicated in aplastic anemia. Absorption can cause methemoglobinemia and kidney injury. 

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