Pentachlorophenol, toxicity

Dave, G. 1984. Effect of pH on pentachlorophenol toxicity to embryos and larvae of zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio). Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 33 621-630. 

Spehar, R.L., Nelson, H.P., Swanson, M.J., andRenoos, J.W. Pentachlorophenol toxicity to amphipods and fathead minnows at... 

Polychlorophenoxyphenols are the principal impurity in mixtures of tetrachlorophenols and pentachlorophenols. Traces of polychlorodibenzoparadioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans can also be present if the chlorination is not conducted correctiy. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzoparadioxia [1746-01 -6] which is highly toxic, has never been detected in any products derived by chlorination. 

Variations in the manufacturing process of 2,4,5-trichloro- and pentachlorophenol (but not 2,4-dichlorophenol) have sometimes resulted in contamination of the product by small amounts of heterocyclic impurities (4,5). Of these, the chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins such as TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) have received much scientific and public attention because of their real or potential toxicity 6, 7), [Chick edema factor, a curious toxicological problem to poultry producers for several years, has been shown to be composed of chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (8).]... 

PCP presents a different picture from that of the lower chlorophenols and their derivatives. The corresponding dioxin shows much more stability to light than does TCDD, enough to permit its prolonged existence at low concentrations in a photoreactor. As a phenol it can directly yield dioxins, a process favored by its normal mode of application as the sodium salt. Although octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin has much lower mammalian toxicity than TCDD (6), its formation, properties, and effects demand additional investigation. Technical preparations of PCP are frequently mixtures of tetra- and pentachlorophenols consequently, hepta-and possibly hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins might be expected as photolysis products in addition to the octachloro derivative. 

Both 2,3,7,8-TCDD and HCDD give positive results in check edema bioassays (Table V). This HCDD result is consistent with a previous report that the HCDD isolated from pentachlorophenol produced chick edema (4). These same authors reported that 2,3,7,8-TCDD was extremely toxic in the chick embryo assay but did not report that it produced chick edema. 

The tolerance of the strains to high concentrations of pentachlorophenol—S. chlorophenolica appears to be less sensitive than M. chlorophenolicus (Miethling and Karlson 1996). This may be attribnted to the ability of the cells to adapt their metabolism to avoid synthesis of toxic concentrations of chlorinated hydroquinones, and is consistent with the low levels of these metabolites measnred in the cytoplasm of cells metabolizing pentachlorophenol (McCarthy et al. 1997). Inocnla have also been immobilized on polyurethane that, in addition, ameliorates the toxicity of chlorophenols (Valo et al. 1990). 

Best available technology economically achievable (BAT) guidelines for the control of nonconventional and toxic pollutants (trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol, which are chemicals used as biocides)... 

Slimicide and biocide toxic pollutants containing pentachlorophenol are used at mills in the pulp, paper, and paperboard industry. Initially, pentachlorophenol was used as a replacement for heavy metal salts, particularly mercuric types. Trichlorophenols are also used because of their availability as a byproduct from the manufacture of certain herbicides. Formulations containing organo-bromides and organo-sulfur compounds are also being used. Substitution of alternative slimicide and biocide formulations can lead to the virtual elimination of pentachlorophenol and trichlorophenol from these sources. 

TCP), and pentachlorophenol (PCP), in order of abundance. Minor amounts of other trichlorophenols and dichlorophenols may also be present, as well as recalcitrant polychlorinated phenoxyphenols (PCPPs) and PCDD/Fs as impurities [75, 76]. In Finland, approximately 30,000 tons of CP products were used between 1934 and 1988, when they were banned because of their potential toxicity to humans and the environment [77, 78]. The careless manufacturing and application of wood preservatives together with the lack of suitable waste disposal caused massive contamination of river sediments and sawmill sites. For example, the river Kymijoki in southern Finland was identified as the largest source of dioxins accumulating in fish in the entire Baltic area. Similar products were used in other European countries, especially Nordic countries with a large forestry industry, such as Sweden [79]. 

Smith, P.D., Brockway, D.L., Stancil, Jr., F.E. (1987) Effect of hardness, alkalinity and pH on toxicity of pentachlorophenol to senastrum capricomutum (printz). Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 6, 891-990. 

Parrish, P.R., E.E. Dyar, J.M. Enos, and W.G. Wilson. 1978. Chronic Toxicity of Chlordane, Trifluralin, and Pentachlorophenol to Sheepshead Minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus). U.S. Environ. Protection Agen. Rep. 600/3-78-010. 53 pp. 

The toxicity of commercial or technical grades of PCP significantly exceeds that of analytical or purified PCP. Some of this added toxicity is attributed to impurities such as dioxins, dibenzo-furans, chlorophenols, and hexachlorobenzene. Pentachlorophenol is rapidly accumulated and rapidly excreted, and has little tendency to persist in living organisms. It acts by uncoupling oxidative... 

Pentachlorophenol was most toxic and most rapidly metabolized in aquatic environments at elevated temperatures and reduced pH. Adverse effects on growth, survival, and reproduction of representative sensitive species of aquatic organisms occurred at PCP concentrations of about 8 to 80 pg/L for algae and macrophytes, about 3 to 100 pg/L for invertebrates (especially molluscs), and <1 to 68 pg/L for fishes, especially salmonids. Fatal PCP doses for birds were 380 to 504 mg/kg BW (acute oral), >3850 mg/kg in diets, and >285 mg/kg in nesting materials. Adverse sublethal effects were noted at dietary levels as low as 1.0 mg/kg ration. Residues (mg/kg fresh weight) in birds found dead from PCP poisoning were >11 in brain, >20 in kidney, >46 in liver, and 50 to 100 in egg. 

Pentachlorophenol applied to beech forest soils every 2 months for 2 years at the rate of 1.0 g/m2 markedly reduced populations of soil organisms. At 5.0 g/m2, it drastically reduced most of the soil animal species and also the microflora (Zietz et al. 1987). Reduction of the soil metabolism by PCP retards decomposition and affects the overall nutrient balance of forest ecosystems (Zietz et al. 1987). Pentachlorophenol is more toxic to earthworms in soils with comparatively low levels of organic materials. The LC50 (14-day) value for Lumbricus rubellus was 1094 mg PCP/kg DW soils with 6.1% organic matter, and 883 mg/kg DW soils with 3.7% organic matter (Van Gestel and Ma 1988). The earthworm Eisenia fetida andrei is more sensitive than Lumbricus rubellus ... 

Bothwick, P.W. and S.C. Schimmel. 1978. Toxicity of pentachlorophenol and related compounds to early life stages of selected estuarine animals. Pages 141-146 in K.R. Rao (ed.). Pentachlorophenol Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Environmental Toxicology. Plenum Press, New York. 

Cleveland, L., D.R. Buckler, F.L. Mayer, and D.R. Branson. 1982. Toxicity of three preparations of pentachlorophenol to fathead minnows — a comparative study. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 1 205-212. 

Gupta, P.K. 1983. Acute toxicity of pentachlorophenol to a freshwater teleost, Rasbora daniconius neilgeriensis (Hamilton). Arch. Hydrobiol. 98 127-132. 

Gupta, P.K. and V.S. Durve. 1984. Evaluation of the toxicity of sodium pentachlorophenate, pentachlorophenol and phenol to the snail Viviparus bengalensis (L.). Arch. Hydrobiol. 101 469 475. 

Gupta, P.K. and P.S. Rao. 1982. Toxicity of phenol, pentachlorophenol and sodium pentachlorophenate to a freshwater pulmonate snail Lymnaea acuminata (Lamarck). Arch. Hydrobiol. 94 210-217. 

Hamilton, S.J., L. Cleveland, L.M. Smith, J.A. Lebo, andF.L. Mayer. 1985. Toxicity of pure pentachlorophenol and chlorinated phenoxyphenol impurities to fathead minnows. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 5 543-552. 

Hedtke, S.F., C.W. West, K.N. Allen, TJ. Norkerg-King, and D.I. Mount. 1986. Toxicity of pentachlorophenol to aquatic organisms under naturally varying and controlled environmental conditions. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 5 531-542. 

Hodson, P.V. and B.R. Blunt. 1981. Temperature-induced changes in pentachlorophenol chronic toxicity to early life stages of rainbow trout. Aquat. Toxicol. 1 113-127. 

Hodson, P.V., R. Parisella, B. Blunt, B. Gray, and K.L.E. Kaiser. 1991. Quantitative structure-activity relationships for chronic toxicity of phenol, p-chlorophcnol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, p-nitro-phenol and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene to early life stages of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Canad. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1784. 56 pp. 

Jayaweera, R., R. Petersen, and P. Smejtek. 1982. Induced hydrogen ion transport in lipid membranes as origin of toxic effect of pentachlorophenol in an alga. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 18 197-204. 

Johansen, P.H., R.A. Mathers, and J.A. Brown. 1987. Effect of exposure to several pentachlorophenol concentrations on growth of young-of-year largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, with comparisons to other indicators of toxicity. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 39 379-384. 

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