Abstract  t -Butyl alcohol is widely used in the manufacture of perfumes and a variety of cosmetics. It is also used as a raw material in the production of isobutylene, which may be used to produce methyl tertiary butyl ether, a common gasoline additive, or to produce butyl elastomers used in the production of automobile tires. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were given t -butyl alcohol (greater than 99% pure) in drinking water for 13 weeks or 2 years. The genetic toxicity of t -butyl alcohol was assessed by testing the ability of the chemical to induce mutations in various strains of Salmonella typhimurium and in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and by measuring the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in mouse peripheral blood. 13-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats were given 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 13 weeks. All males and six females given 40 mg/mL died during the study. Final mean body weights of 10 and 20 mg/mL males and of 40 mg/mL females were 12%, 17%, or 21% less than those of the corresponding controls, respectively. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activities in 10 and 20 mg/mL males were greater than that in the controls after 13 weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity in 40 mg/mL females was greater than that in the controls after 2 weeks and greater in all exposed females after 13 weeks. Urine volumes of 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL males and females decreased, and urine specific gravity values increased. Transitional epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation of the urinary bladder were observed in 20 and 40 mg/mL males and 40 mg/mL females. Absolute and relative liver weights of all exposed groups of females and relative liver weights of 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL males were significantly greater than those of the controls. Absolute and relative kidney weights of all exposed groups of males and females were significantly greater than those of the controls. Incidences of mineralization of the kidney were significantly increased in 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL males. The severity of nephropathy in 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL males was significantly greater than that of the controls as was the accumulation of hyaline droplets in the kidney of 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL males. The incidences of nephropathy in 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL females were significantly greater than that of the controls. 13-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female B6C3F1 mice were given 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 13 weeks. The deaths of two males and one female in the 40 mg/mL group were attributed to exposure to t -butyl alcohol. The final mean body weights of 20 and 40 mg/mL males and 40 mg/mL females were significantly lower than those of the controls. There were no biologically significant differences in hematology parameters of exposed and control groups of mice. Transitional epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation were observed in the urinary bladder of 20 and 40 mg/mL males and 40 mg/mL females. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 60 F344/N rats were given 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol (males) or 0, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol (females) in drinking water for 2 years. These correspond to average daily doses of approximately 90, 200, or 420 mg t -butyl alcohol/kg body weight for males and approximately 180, 330, or 650 mg t -butyl alcohol/kg body weight for females. Ten rats per group were evaluated after 15 months of chemical administration. Survival, Body Weights, and Water Consumption: Survival rates of 5 mg/mL males and 10 mg/mL females were significantly lower than those of the controls. The final mean body weights of exposed groups of males were 15% to 24% lower than that of the controls, and the final mean body weight of 10 mg/mL females was 21% lower than that of the controls. Water consumption by males increased with dose; water consumption by females decreased with dose. Hematology and Urinalysis: At the 15-month inte. Hematology and Urinalysis: At the 15-month interim evaluation, there were no significant differences in hematology parameters in males and females, and there were no significant differences in urinalysis parameters in males. Females given 5 or 10 mg/mL had increased urine specific gravities and decreased urine volumes. Pathology Findings: At the 15-month interim evaluation, relative kidney weights of 2.5 and 5 mg/mL males and absolute and relative kidney weights of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL females were significantly greater than those of the controls. At 2 years, the incidence of mineralization in the kidney increased with dose and that of 5 mg/mL males was significantly greater than that of the controls. In the standard evaluation at the end of the study, the incidences of focal renal tubule hyperplasia and of adenoma were increased in exposed males and a carcinoma was observed in one 5 mg/mL male. Renal tubule hyperplasia occurred in one 10 mg/mL female. An extended evaluation of the kidney identified additional male rats with hyperplasia (control, 11/50; 1.25 mg/mL, 13/50; 2.5 mg/mL, 11/50; 5 mg/mL, 19/50) and renal tubule adenoma (7/50, 8/50, 15/50, 10/50); renal tubule carcinomas were identified in two 1.25 mg/mL males and in one 2.5 mg/mL male. Renal tubule adenoma was identified in one 5 mg/mL male from the 15-month extended evaluation. In the standard and extended evaluations combined, there were dose-related increased incidences of hyperplasia and adenoma. The severity of nephropathy and the incidence and severity of transitional cell hyperplasia of the kidney were increased in exposed male and female rats. Linear foci of mineralization were present in the renal papilla of exposed males. 2-YEAR STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 60 male and 60 female B6C3F1 mice were given 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 2 years. Exposure levels of 5, 10, or 20 mg/mL delivered average daily doses of approximately 540, 1,040, or 2,070 mg t -butyl alcohol/kg body weight to males and approximately 510, 1,020, or 2,110 mg/kg to females. Survival, Body Weights, and Water Consumption: Survival of 20 mg/mL males was significantly lower than that of the controls. The final mean body weights of exposed groups of males were similar to those of the controls. The mean body weights of females given 20 mg/mL were 10% to 15% lower than those of the controls from week 13 to the end of the study. Water consumption by exposed groups of males and females was similar to that by the controls. Pathology Findings: Incidences of thyroid gland follicular cell hyperplasia were significantly increased in all exposed groups of males and in 10 and 20 mg/mL females. The incidence of follicular cell adenoma or carcinoma (combined) was marginally increased in 10 mg/mL males (0 mg/mL, 1/60; 5 mg/mL, 0/59; 10 mg/mL, 4/59; 20 mg/mL, 2/57). The incidence of follicular cell adenoma was significantly increased in 20 mg/mL females (2/58, 3/60, 2/59, 9/59). The incidences of chronic inflammation and transitional epithelial hyperplasia of the urinary bladder were increased in 20 mg/mL males and to a lesser extent in 20 mg/mL females. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: t -Butyl alcohol was tested for induction of genetic damage in vitro and in vivo, and all results were negative. In vitro, t -butyl alcohol was negative in Salmonella typhimurium and mouse lymphoma cell mutation tests, and it did not induce sister chromatid exchanges or chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. These in vitro studies were conducted with and without metabolic activation (S9). In vivo, no increase in micronucleated erythrocytes was observed in peripheral blood samples from mice administered t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 13 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year drinking water studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of t -butyl alcohol in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of renal tubule adenoma or carcinoma (combined). There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity in female F344/N rats receiving 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of t -butyl alcohol in male B6C3F1 mice based on the marginally increased incidences of follicular cell adenoma or carcinoma (combined) of the thyroid gland. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of t -butyl alcohol in female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of follicular cell adenoma of the thyroid gland. Exposure to t -butyl alcohol was associated with mineralization and renal tubule hyperplasia in male rats, transitional epithelial hyperplasia and increased severity of nephropathy of the kidney in male and female rats, follicular cell hyperplasia of the thyroid gland in male and female mice, and chronic inflammation and hyperplasia of the urinary bladder in male mice and to a lesser extent in female mice. Synonyms: 2-Methyl-2-propanol, 2-methylpropan-2-ol, TBA, t -butanol, tertiary butyl alcohol, t -butyl hydroxide, trimethyl carbinol, trimethyl methanol

Abstract  T-Butyl alcohol (TBA) was administered in drinking water to F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice for two years using 60 animals/dose/sex/species. Male rats received doses of 0. 1.25. 2.5. or 5 mg/ml and females received 0, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/ml. resulting in average daily doses of approximately 85, 195, or 420 mg TBA/kg body weight for males and 175, 330, or 650 mg/kg for females. Ten rats per group were evaluated after 15 months. Male and female mice received doses of 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/m, resulting in average daily doses of approximately 535, l,035, or 2.065 mg TBA/kg body weight for males and 510, 1,015, or 2,105 mg/kg for females. Survival was significantly reduced in male rats receiving 5mg/ml, female rats receiving 10 mg/ml, and male mice receiving 20 mg/ml. Long-term exposure to TBA produced increased incidences of renal tubule adenoma and carcinoma in male rats; transitional epithelial hyperplasia of the kidney in male and female rats; follicular cell adenoma of the thyroid in female mice: and follicular cell hvperplasia of the thyroid and inflammation and hyperplasia of the urinary bladder in male and female mice. In addition, a slight increase in follicular cell adenoma or carcinoma of the thyroid (combined) in male mice may have been related to the administration of TBA.

Abstract  Tertiary butyl alcohol and trichloroacetic acid are known to be contaminants in drinking water. In order to evaluate the interactive toxicity of t-butyl alcohol with trichloroacetic acid, young male Wistar rats were dosed through water at a dose level of t-butyl alcohol (TBA)-0.5% (v/v), trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-25 ppm and a combined dose of TBA + TCA (0.5% v/v TBA-25 ppm TCA) for a period of 10 weeks ad libitum and were maintained on normal diet. The control animals received plain water and normal diet. The liver and kidney histology was undertaken to see whether subtoxic administration of TBA and TCA individually as well as combined administration for a period of 10 weeks would bring about any histological alterations. It was observed that TBA, TCA and TBA + TCA caused histological alterations in the liver such as centrilobular necrosis, vacuolation in hepatocytes and loss of hepatic architecture. TBA and TBA + TCA caused periportal proliferation and lymphocytic infiltration. Hypertrophy of hepatocytes in the periportal area was a characteristic feature in the liver of TCA treated rats. Moreover, in the histology of the kidney, in the three treated groups, degeneration of renal tubules, with syncitial arrangements of the nucleus of renal tubular epithelial cells was evident. In addition to this, degeneration of the basement membrane of the Bowmans capsule, diffused glomeruli and vacuolation of glomeruli was also evident in the three treated rat kidneys. Renal tubular proliferation in certain areas was also evident in certain areas of the kidney in TCA treated rats. The results indicate that, TBA and TCA do bring about alterations in histology of liver and kidney, but on combined administration, do not show enhanced toxicity in the form of increased hepatic and renal injury.

Abstract  Administered 2 concentrations of tertiary-butanol (t-butanol; 6,000 and 12,000 mg/m–3) by inhalation to groups of pregnant rats for 7 hrs/day on Gestation Days 1–29. Groups of male rats were similarily exposed for 7 hrs/day for 6 wks, and mated to unexposed females. From Days 10–90, offspring were tested for neuromotor coordination, activity, and learning. Results indicate that the high concentration of t-butanol was maternally toxic, reducing feed intake and maternal weight gain. Few differences, however, were found from controls in either the behavioral or neurochemical measures.

Abstract  An independent Pathology Working Group (PWG) re-evaluated the kidney changes in National Toxicology Program (NTP) toxicology/carcinogenicity studies of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in F344/N rats to determine possible mode(s) of action underlying renal tubule tumors in male rats at 2-years. In the 13-week study, the PWG confirmed that the normal pattern of round hyaline droplets in proximal convoluted tubules was replaced by angular droplet accumulation, and identified precursors of granular casts in the outer medulla, changes typical of alpha(2u)-globulin (α(2u)-g) nephropathy. In the 2-year study, the PWG confirmed the NTP observation of increased renal tubule tumors in treated male groups. Linear papillary mineralization, another hallmark of the α(2u)-g pathway was present only in treated male rats. Chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) was exacerbated in high-dose males and females, with a relationship between advanced grades of CPN and renal tumor occurrence. Hyperplasia of the papilla lining was a component of CPN in both sexes, but there was no pelvic urothelial hyperplasia. High-dose females showed no TBA-related nephrotoxicity. The PWG concluded that both α(2u)-g nephropathy and exacerbated CPN modes of action were operative in TBA renal tumorigenicity in male rats, neither of which has relevance for human cancer risk.

Abstract  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of t-butyl alcohol, an important commodity chemical, an additive to unleaded gasoline, and a contaminant of drinking water. Ninety-day toxicity studies were conducted in B6C3F1 mice and Fischer 344 (F344) rats of both sexes using dosed water. Dose levels of t-butyl alcohol were 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4% (w/v). Lethality was observed at the 4% level of both sexes and species. Weight-gain depression was present in all dose levels of male rats; 4% female rats; 1, 2, and 4% male mice; and 2 and 4% female mice. Water consumption was increased at lower dose levels in male rats and decreased in the higher dose levels of both sexes of rats and female mice. Clinical signs in rats were ataxia in both sexes and hypoactivity in males. Clinical signs in mice were ataxia, abnormal posture, and hypoactivity. In rats, urine volumes were reduced, in association with crystalluria. Gross lesions at necropsy were urinary tract calculi, renal pelvic and ureteral dilatation, and thickening of the urinary bladder mucosa. Microscopic lesions were hyperplasia of transitional epithelia and inflammation of the urinary bladder. In male rats treated with t-butyl alcohol, microscopic renal changes were suggestive of alpha-2 mu-globulin nephropathy. No-effect levels for the urinary tract lesions were 1% in male rats and mice (803.7 mg/kg/day for the male rats and 1565.8 mg/kg/day for the male mice) and 2% in female rats and mice (1451.5 mg/kg/day for the female rats and 4362.9 mg/kg/day for the female mice). The results indicate that in rodents the urinary tract is the target organ for t-butyl alcohol toxicity, and males are more sensitive to t-butyl alcohol toxicity than females.

Abstract  Groups of 12 male and 12 female rats received the test substance once daily by oral gavage at dose levels of 64, 160, 400, or 1000 mg/kg/day. F0 animals at 1000 mg/kg/day there was mild to moderate toxicity, including some transient lethargy, ataxia, and an initial reduction in male body weight gain. During late gestation, dams showed slight reduced weight gain. Pup body weight at birth was reduced by 10% progressing to a 15% deficiency by PND 7. During lactation the F0 dams showed reduced feed consumption. Increased F0 male kidney and liver weight at this dosage was suggestive of metabolic induction/accommodation, while a small (8%) increase in testis weight was considered to be of doubtful importance, particularly in the absence of any histological change. At 400 mg/kg/day there was a lower incidence of transient mild lethargy/ataxia in females only, beginning after approximately 2 weeks of treatment, but not seen after about the fourth week of treatment. At 160 and 64 mg/kg/day there was only a minor increase in F0 male kidney weight. was no definite effect of direct dosing of offspring for one week after weaning at the same dose levels as were received by their parents. AEL for this study was 160 mg/kg/day.

Abstract  The mechanism by which developmental anomalies associated with the fetal alcohol syndrome are produced is not understood. Current hypotheses include altered maternal function and direct action of ethanol or its metabolic product, acetaldehyde, on embryonic tissue. Pregnant mice were fed liquid diets containing either ethanol (3.6%, w/v) or tertiary butanol in concentrations of 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% (w/v) from day 6 to day 20 of gestation. Untreated surrogate maternal animals were substituted in half of the original litters to gain insight into the role played by maternal nutritional and behavioral factors. Quantitatively, t-butanol was approximately 5 times more potent than ethanol in producing a developmental delay in post-parturition physiological and psychomotor performance scores. The existence at significant postnatal maternal nutritional and behavioral factors affecting lactation and/or nesting behavior were also evident at the higher concentrations of alcohol. The results from this study are consistent with the hypothesis that ethanol per se and not acetaldehyde is primarily responsible for the fetal alcohol syndrome.

Abstract  Tertiary butyl alcohol and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are known to be contaminants in drinking water. In order to evaluate the interactive toxicity of t-butyl alcohol (TBA) with TCA, young male Wistar rats were dosed through water at a dose level of TBA (0.5% v/v), 25 ppm TCA and a combined dose of TBA+TCA (0.5% v/v TBA, 25 ppm TCA) for a period of 10 weeks ad libitum and were maintained on normal diet. The control animals received plain water and normal diet. There was remarkable loss of body weight and significantly decreased liver triglycerides in the treatment groups in the order of TBA+TCA, TCA, TBA and increased liver weights were observed. Serum succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) levels were significantly increased in TCA- and TBA+TCA-treated groups. There was no significant change in serum alanine (GPT), aspartate (GOT) aminotransferase, serum alkaline (ALP) and acid (ACP) phosphatase levels as well as liver glutathione (GSH) and liver and serum cholesterol levels in the treated groups. But serum triglycerides, liver glycogen, serum glucose (only in TBA- and TCA-treated animals) were significantly high in the treated groups. Lipid peroxidation measured by diene conjugation was significant in TBA+TCA-treated group and kidney GSH levels were significantly low in the treated groups. These results show that interaction of TBA+TCA does bring about alteration in biochemical parameters which may play a pivotal role in toxic responses on long-term exposure.

Abstract  Pregnant mice of the CBA/J and C57BL/6J strains were given either tertiary butanol (10.5 mmoles/kg, p.o.) or an equivalent volume of tap water twice daily from day 6 through day 18 of gestation. Examination on day 18 revealed significantly more resorptions per litter in the t-butanol-treated animals but no interstrain difference. Tertiary butanol did not significantly affect the body weight of the survivors nor produce significant abnormalities in either strain. Subsequent blood concentration profiles in female C57BL/6J mice indicated that the treatment regimen produced blood levels equivalent to teratogenic ethanol treatment. Mice receiving 3 days of t-butanol treatment did not eliminate the drug more rapidly than control animals, indicating that tolerance was not a factor in the treatment regimen. Since t-butanol shares membrane disordering effects with ethanol but is not metabolized by the same pathway, a role for acetaldehyde or the process of ethanol metabolism is suggested in ethanol teratogenicity.

Abstract  As part of an ongoing study of the developmental toxicology of industrial alcohols, this report presents the results of the teratology assessments of 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and t-butanol administered by inhalation to rats. Groups of approximately 15 Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed at 8000, 6000, 3500, or 0 ppm 1-butanol, 7000, 5000, 3500, or 0 ppm 2-butanol, or 5000, 3500, 2000, or 0 ppm t-butanol for 7 hr/day on Gestation Days 1-19 (sperm = 0). In each case, the highest concentration was selected to produce maternal toxicity. Dams were sacrificed on Gestation Day 20, and fetuses were individually weighed, tagged, and examined for external malformations. One-half of the fetuses were stained and examined for skeletal abnormalities, and the other half were examined for visceral defects using the Wilson technique. For each butanol isomer examined, the highest concentration (and the intermediate in some cases) was maternally toxic, as manifest by reduced weight gain and feed intake. Even at a maternally toxic dose, and in spite of a dose-dependent reduction in fetal weights for each isomer, the only teratogenicity observed was a slight increase in skeletal malformations (primarily rudimentary cervical ribs), seen with the highest concentration of 1-butanol.Thus, although teratogenicity was observed at 8000 ppm 1-butanol, and developmental toxicity was observed with each of the butyl alcohol isomers studied, concentrations 50 times the current permissible exposure limits for these three butanol isomers do not produce teratogenicity in rats.

Abstract  t-Butyl alcohol is widely used in the manufacture of perfumes and a variety of cosmetics. It is also used as a raw material in the production of isobutylene, which may be used to produce methyl tertiary butyl ether, a common gasoline additive, or to produce butyl elastomers used in the production of automobile tires. The National Cancer Institute nominated t-butyl alcohol to the NTP for study as a result of a review of chemicals found in drinking water. In addition to the high annual production and the potential for occupational exposure, there is also a potential for human exposure to t-butyl alcohol by the inhalation route from its use as an additive in unleaded gasoline. Therefore, toxicity studies of t-butyl alcohol were conducted in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice by whole-body inhalation. Animals were evaluated for hematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, reproductive toxicity, and histopathology. The genetic toxicity of t-butyl alcohol was assessed by testing the ability of the chemical to induce mutations in various strains of Salmonella typhimurium and L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells or sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and by measuring the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in rat bone marrow and mouse peripheral blood. In the 18-day inhalation studies, groups of five male and five female rats and mice were exposed to t-butyl alcohol by inhalation at concentrations of 450, 900, 1,750, 3,500, and 7,000 ppm for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 12 exposure days. All rats and mice exposed to 7,000 ppm were killed moribund following a single 6-hour exposure. One 3,500 ppm male mouse died on day 3. Final mean body weights of 3,500 ppm male and female rats were significantly lower than those of the controls. Final mean body weights and body weight gains of all other exposed groups were similar to those of the controls. In animals exposed to 3,500 ppm, the thymus weights of male and female rats and female mice were less than those of the controls. The liver weights of male and female mice exposed to 3,500 ppm were greater than those of the controls. No gross or microscopic lesions were present in rats or mice. In the 13-week inhalation studies, groups of 10 male and 10 female rats and mice were exposed to t-butyl alcohol at concentrations of 0, 135, 270, 540, 1,080, and 2,100 ppm for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 13 weeks. One 2,100 ppm and five 1,080 ppm male mice died before the end of the studies. The final mean body weight of 2,100 ppm female mice and the mean body weight gains of 1,080 and 2,100 ppm female mice were significantly lower than those of the controls. Clinical findings of toxicity in the 1,080 ppm male mice that died during the studies included rough coats and emaciated appearance, hypoactivity, and prostration. Minimal decreases in hematocrit values, hemoglobin concentrations, and erythrocyte counts occurred in the 1,080 and 2,100 ppm male rats at week 13. Hemoglobin concentrations and/or hematocrit values were also minimally decreased in male rats in the lower exposure groups. At week 13, a minimal decrease in urine pH occurred in the 1,080 ppm female and 2,100 ppm male and female rats. Neutrophilia occurred in the 2,100 ppm male mice. Organ weight differences in exposed rats included increased absolute and relative kidney weights of 1,080 ppm males and 2,100 ppm males and females and increased relative liver weights of 1,080 and 2,100 ppm females. There were no treatment-related gross findings in male or female rats or mice; no microscopic lesions occurred in female rats or male or female mice that survived to the end of the study. In male rats, there was an exposure concentration-related increase in the severity of chronic nephropathy. Splenic lymphoid depletion was present in male mice that died during the studies; this lesion was presumed to be secondary to stress. t-Butyl alcohol produced no adverse effects on reproductive parameters in male or female rats or mice. The results of all tests of t-butyl alcohol for induction of genetic damage in vitro and in vivo were negative. In vitro, t-butyl alcohol was negative in Salmonella typhimurium and mouse lymphoma cell mutation tests, and it did not induce sister chromatid exchanges or chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. These in vitro studies were conducted with and without metabolic activation (S9). In vivo, no increase in the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was observed in peripheral blood samples from mice administered t-butyl alcohol in drinking water for 13 weeks. Also, induction of micronucleated erythrocytes was noted in bone marrow cells of rats administered t-butyl alcohol by intraperitoneal injection. In summary, inhalation exposure of rats and mice to t-butyl alcohol resulted in deaths following a single 7,000 ppm exposure and clinical findings of alcohol toxicity (hyper- and hypoactivity, ataxia) at concentrations of 900 ppm and greater in rats and 1,750 ppm and greater in mice. In 13-week studies at concentrations up to 2,100 ppm, only one death (that of a 2,100 ppm mouse) was attributed to chemical exposure. The most notable evidence of toxicity at the end of 13 weeks was limited to males and consisted of increased kidney weights, which correlated microscopically to increased severity of chronic nephropathy. Reproductive parameters in male and female rats and mice were unaffected after 13 weeks of exposure, and the results of all tests for genetic toxicity were negative.