Abstract  A petroleum distillate--a high aromatic naphtha--consisting of a 50/50 blended mixture of equivalent products. SHELLSOL A* and SOLVESSO 100**, containing C9 isomers (75 percent) particularly trimethyl benzenes, was examined for systemic toxicity in rats by inhalation exposure. A preliminary 13-week inhalation study with SHELLSOL A had resulted in liver and kidney weight increases in female rats at the high (7400 mg/m3) and medium (3700 mg/m3) exposure levels, and a low grade anaemia in females at all exposure levels (7400, 3700 and 1800 mg/m3). The follow-up 12-month inhalation study in rats described here used atmosphere generated from the SHELLSOL A/SOLVESSO 100 blend of 1800, 900 and 450 mg/m3. Initial reduction in body weight gain occurred in both male and female rats at the higher exposures. Various statistically significant haematological changes were transiently seen in males up to six months, but were not considered biologically significant. High exposure male liver and kidney weights were increased at 6 and 12 months but, in the absence of histopathological changes, were considered to be physiological adaptive responses. No treatment-related histopathological abnormalities were found. It is concluded that chronic exposure to this high aromatic naphtha is without systemic toxicity in rats under the conditions of these studies.

Abstract  Toxic effects of exposure of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (pseudocumene) in the condition of sub-chronic inhalation experiment were examined. Rats were exposed to vapours of pseudocumene at concentrations of 123 mg/m3, 492 mg/m3 and 1230 mg/m3, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 months. After 3 months of inhalation exposure animals were necropsied. Blood samples were obtained and selected organs were weighted and prepared for histological examinations. Sub-chronic inhalation exposure to pseudocumene resulted in an overall low degree of systemic toxicity. There were no changes in body weight gain, food consumption and absolute and relative organ weights. Slightly higher activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase was observed in male rats exposed to all concentrations applied. Some disturbances in hematological parameters characterised by decrease in red and increase in white blood cells were observed in male rats exposed to high concentration of 1230 mg/m3. The pulmonary lesions observed in male and female rats were statistically significant at mid and high concentrations of pseudocumene.

Abstract  Toxic effects of exposure to 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (hemimellitene) in the condition of subchronic inhalation experiment were examined. Rats were exposed to vapours of hemimellitene at concentrations of 123 mg/m3, 492 mg/m3 and 1230 mg/m3, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 months. After termination of a 3-month inhalation, animals were necropsied. Blood samples were obtained and selected organs were weighed and prepared for histological examinations. Subchronic inhalation exposure to hemimellitene resulted in an overall, low systemic toxicity. There were no changes in body weight gain and food consumption. At a concentration of 1230 mg/m3, the increase in relative liver weight was observed in male rats. It was accompanied by slight increase in sorbitol dehydrogenase activity. The increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was found in females only. Some disturbances in haematological parameters, characterised by the decrease in red blood cells and slight increase in white blood cells, segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes were observed in rats at high exposure concentration of 1230 mg/m3. The pulmonary lesions as well as the increased number of goblet cells and interstitial lung parenchyma infiltration were noted in male and female rats from the highest exposure groups.