Toxicity inhalation/ocular

Recent multiservice (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force) guidance on agent-specific exposure limits estimates the VX EC/50 for mild toxicity in humans (miosis, rhinorrhea) to be 0.10 mg VX-min/m for 2-360 min exposures (DA, 2005). The inhalation/ocular ECtso for severe effects in humans (i.e. muscular weakness, tremors, breathing difficulty, convulsions, paralysis) was estimated to be 10 mg-min/m for 2-360 min exposures for a respiratory minute volume of 15 1/min (DA, 2005). 

The water solubiUty of glutaric acid fosters its toxicity. Glutaric acid is a known nephrotoxin. Renal failure has been documented ia rabbits adruinistered sodium glutarate subcutaneously (124). Dibasic ester (Du Pont), which contains primarily dimethyl glutarate, has low acute toxicity by inhalation and by ingestion, and is moderately toxic via dermal absorption. The acid is both a dermal and ocular irritant of humans. The ester is a severe skin irritant and may cause a rash ia humans (120). 

Methods for Reducing Toxic Effects. The general recommendations for reducing the absorption of trichloroethylene following acute inhalation (HSDB 1994), oral (D Souza et al. 1985 Withey et al. 1983), dermal, or ocular (HSDB 1994) exposure are well established and have a proven efficacy. No additional investigations are considered necessary at this time. 

L-l is a vesicant (blister agent) also, it acts as a systemic poison, causing pulmonary edema, diarrhea, restlessness, weakness, subnormal temperature, and low blood pressure. In order of severity and appearance of symptoms, it is a blister agent, a toxic lung irritant, absorbed in tissues, and a systemic poison. When inhaled in high concentrations, it may be fatal in as short a time as 10 min. L-1 is not detoxified by the body. Common routes of entry into the body include ocular, percutaneous, and inhalation. 

In mammals, the toxicity of nickel is a function of the chemical form of nickel, dose, and route of exposure. Exposure to nickel by inhalation, injection, or cutaneous contact is more significant than oral exposure. Toxic effects of nickel to humans and laboratory mammals are documented for respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hematological, musculoskeletal, hepatic, renal, dermal, ocular, immunological, developmental, neurological, and reproductive systems (NAS 1975 Nielsen 1977 USEPA 1980, 1986 WHO 1991 USPHS 1993). 

Administered by inhalation to rats 6 hours/ day on days 7-16 of gestation, 12,000ppm trfetal toxicity in the form of reduced fetal weights overt maternal toxicity was also observed at this dose and was expressed as a significant reduction in weight gain and in feed consumption. Increased incidences of alopecia, lethargy, salivation, and ocular irritation were also observed in the treated dams, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene was not considered to be uniquely toxic to the rat conceptus. 

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