TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
                            (fteae read Instruction* on the rtvene before completing
        NO.
  EPA/600/8-88/050
                              2.
                                                         3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO
                                                               PB88-178967
TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Health Effects Assessment for  Nitrophenols
                                                           6. REPORT DATE
                                                           6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
 7 AUTHOR(S)
                                                           *. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
                                                           10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
                                                           11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
                                                           13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
 Environmental  Criteria and Assessment  Office
 Office  of Research and Development
 U.S   Environmental Protection Agency
 Cincinnati.  OH  45268	
                                                         14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
                                                            EPA/600/22
 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
 16. ABSTRACT
   This  report summarizes and evaluates  information relevant to a  preliminary interim
 assessment of adverse health effects  associated with specific chemicals or compounds.
 The  Office of Emergency and Remedial  Response (Superfund) uses these documents in
 preparing cost-benefit analyses  under Executive Order 12991 for decision-making under
 CERCLA.   All  estimates of acceptable  intakes and carcinogenic potency presented in
 this document should be considered  as preliminary and reflect limited resources
 allocated to this project.  The  intent  in these assessments is to suggest acceptable
 exposure levels whenever sufficient data  are available.  The interim values presented
 reflect  the relative degree of hazard associated with exposure or risk to the
 chemical(s) addressed.  Whenever possible, two categories of values  have been
 estimated for systemic toxicants (toxicants for which cancer is not  the endpoint of
 concern).   The first, RfD5 or subchronic  reference dose, is an estimate of an exposure
 levtl that would not be expected to cause adverse effects when exposure occurs during
 a limited time interval.  The RfD is  an estimate of an exposure level  that would not
 be expected to cause adverse effects  when exposure occurs for a significant portion
 of the  lifespan.  For compounds  for which there is sufficient evidence of
 carcinogenicity, qj*s have been  computed, if appropriate, based on oral and
 inhalation data if available.
 7.
                                KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
                  DESCRIPTORS
                                           b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS  C.  COSATI Field/Group
 8. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT

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                                           19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)

                                              Unclassified
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                                              20. SECURITY CLASS (This page!
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                                                                      22. PRICE
It PA Farm 2220.1 (R*v. 4-77)   PNCVIOU* EDITION |» OBSOLETE

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                                             EPA/600/8-88/050
                                             July,  1987
           HEALTH  EFFECTS  ASSESSMENT
               FOR NITROPHENOLS
ENVIRONMENTAL  CRITERIA AND  ASSESSMENT OFFICE
OFFICE OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
      OFFICE  OF  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
    U.S.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
             CINCINNATI,  OH  45268
                       fl.5.  EnvTronaeBtaT Pro-beet Ion Xgency
                       Region 5, Library (5PL-16)
                       £30 E,  Dearborn St'-eet, Boom 1670
                       Chicago,  IL    60501

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                                  DISCLAIMER
    This   document   has   been   reviewed   In  accordance   with   the   U.S.
Environmental  Protection  Agency's  peer  and  administrative review policies
and approved for publication.  Mention of  trade names  or  commercial products
does not constitute endorsement  or  recommendation  for use.
                                      11

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                                    PREFACE

     This  report  summarized and evaluates  Information  relevant  to a prelimi-
nary Interim  assessment  of  adverse  health  effects  associated  with  nltro-
phenols.   All  estimates  of  acceptable  Intakes   and  carcinogenic  potency
presented  In this document  should  be considered as  preliminary  and reflect
limited  resources  allocated  to  this  project.   Pertinent   toxlcologlc  and
environmental  data were  located  through on-line literature  searches  of  the
Chemical  Abstracts,  TOXLINE,  CANCERLINE  and the CHEMFATE/OATALOG data bases.
The  basic literature  searched supporting this  document  1s  current up  to
June,  1986.   Secondary sources of  Information  -have also  ben  relied upon In
the  preparation  of  this  report  and  represent  large-scale health assessment
efforts  that entail  extensive peer  and  Agency  review.   The  following Office
of  Health  and Environmental Assessment  (OHEA)  sources  have  been extensively
utilized:

     U.S.  EPA.   1980.    Ambient   Water   Quality Criteria  Document  for
     NHrophenols.   Prepared by the  Office of  Health  and  Environmental
     Assessment,  Environmental  Criteria  and Assessment  Office,  Cincin-
     nati,  OH for  the  Office  of  Water Regulations  and  Standards, Wash-
     ington,  DC.  EPA 440/5-80-063.  NTIS PB81-117749.

     U.S.  EPA.   1983a.    Reportable  Quantity Document  for  2-N1tropenol.
     Prepared  by  the  Office  of  Health  and  Environmental  Assessment,
     Environmental  Criteria and  Assessment Office,  Cincinnati,  OH  for
     the Office of  Emergency and Remedial Response, Washington, DC.

     U.S.  EPA.   1983b.   Reportable Quantity Document  for p-NHrophenol.
     Prepared  by  the  Office  of  Health  and  Environmental  Assessment,
   •  Environmental  Criteria and  Assessment Office,  Cincinnati,  OH  for
     the Office of  Emergency and Remedial Response,  Washington, DC.

     U.S.  EPA.   1983c.   Reportable  Quantity  Document  for  NHrophenol
     (Mixed).    Prepared  by  the  Office  of  Health  and  Environmental
     Assessment,  Environmental  Criteria  and  Assessment Office,  Cincin-
     nati, OH for   the  Office  of  Emergency and  Remedial  Response, Wash-
     ington,  DC.

     U.S.  EPA.   1985.   Health  and  Environmental   Effects Profile  for
     Nltrophenols.  Prepared  by the Office of  Health  and  Environmental
     Assessment,  Environmental  Criteria  and  Assessment Office,  Cincin-
     nati,  OH for  the  Office  of  Solid  Waste  and  Emergency  Response,
    Washington, D.C.

    The Intent In  these assessments 1s  to  suggest acceptable  exposure levels
for  noncarclnogens  and   risk  cancer   potency estimates  for  carcinogens
whenever sufficient  data  were  available.   Values were not derived  or  larger
uncertainty  factors  were  employed  when the  variable data  were limited  In
scope  tending   to  generate  conservative  (I.e.,   protective)   estimates.
Nevertheless,  the  Interim  values presented reflect  the  relative degree  of
hazard or risk associated with exposure to the chemlcal(s)  addressed.
                                      Ill

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    Whenever  possible,  two  categories  of  values  have  been  estimated  for
systemic  toxicants  (toxicants   for  which  cancer  Is  not   the endpolnt  of
concern).   The  first,  RfD$  (formerly  AIS)  or  subchronlc reference  dose,  Is
an estimate  of  an  exposure  level  that  would not  be expected to cause adverse
effects- when exposure occurs  during a  limited  time  Interval  (I.e.,  for  an
Interval  that  does not  constitute  a  significant  portion of  the  llfespan).
This  type  of exposure  estimate has   not  been extensively  used, or  rigorously
defined,  as previous  risk  assessment efforts  have been primarily  directed
towards  exposures  from  toxicants  In  ambient  air  or  water  where  lifetime
exposure   Is  assumed.   Animal   data  used for   RFD$   estimates   generally
Include  exposures  with durations of 30-90  days.   Subchronlc  human  data  are
rarely  available.   Reported  exposures  are  usually  from chronic occupational
exposure  situations  or  from reports  of  acute  accidental   exposure.   These
values   are  developed  for  both   Inhalation   (RfD$j)  and   oral   (RfD$rj)
exposures.

    The  RfD  (formerly AIC)  1s   similar  In concept  and addresses  chronic
exposure.   It 1s an estimate of  an  exposure level  that  would not be expected
to cause  adverse  effects when exposure  occurs  for a significant  portion  of
the Hfespan [see U.S.  EPA  (1980)   for  a  discussion  of  this  concept].   The
RfD  Is  route-specific and  estimates  acceptable  exposure  for either  oral
(RfDg)  or  Inhalation  (RfDj)  with  the   Implicit   assumption   that  exposure
by other routes Is Insignificant.

    Composite  scores   (CSs)  for  noncarclnogens  have  also  been  calculated
where  data  permitted.   These values  are  used  for  Identifying  reportable
quantities  and  the methodology  for  their  development  1s explained  1n  U.S.
EPA (1983).

    For compounds  for  which  there 1s  sufficient evidence of carclnogenlcHy
RfD$  and  RfD values are not derived.   For  a  discussion of  rlisk  assessment
methodology  for carcinogens refer  to U.S.  EPA  (1980).  Since cancer  Is  a
process that  Is not characterized by  a  threshold, any exposure contributes
an Increment  of risk.   For  carcinogens,  q-|*s  have been  computed,  If appro-
priate, based on oral  and Inhalation data 1f available.
                                      1v

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                                   ABSTRACT
    Data  were  Insufficient  for  quantitative risk  analysis  of the  nltro-
phenols.  Recommendations  for  further testing await  the  outcome of  the  NTP
(1986) skin-painting oncogenldty study with 4-nltrophenol  1n mice.

    The acute  toxlclty  data  available do not Indicate either  a target organ
or system for  these isomers.   Both the acute toxlclty and  the mechanisms of
toxlclty appear  to  vary with  each Isomer.  It does not appear that  the risk
assessment of  an  Isomer may  prudently be based on analogy  to  another, or to
closely  related  compounds  such  as   2,4-d1n1trophenol,  because  of  marked
differences  In mechanisms of  toxlclty.

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                               ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


    The  Initial  draft  of  this  report  was  prepared  by Syracuse  Research
Corporation  under Contract No.  68-03-3112 for  EPA's  Environmental  Criteria
and  Assessment Office,  Cincinnati,   OH.   Dr.  Christopher  DeRosa and Karen
Blackburn  were the  Technical  Project  Monitors  and John  Helms  (Office  of
Toxic  Substances) was  the Project  Officer.   The   final  documents   In  this
series  were prepared  for  the  Office of  Emergency  and Remedial  Response,
Washington, DC.

    Scientists  from  the following U.S. EPA offices  provided  review  comments
for this document series:

         Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH
         Carcinogen Assessment Group
         Office of A1r Quality Planning and Standards
         Office of Solid Waste
         Office of Toxic Substances
         Office of Drinking Water

Editorial review for the document series  was provided by the following:

    Judith Olsen and Erma Durden
    Environmental  Criteria and Assessment Office
    Cincinnati, OH

Technical  support services  for  the  document  series  was  provided   by  the
following:

    Bette Zwayer,  Jacky Bohanon and K1m Davidson
    Environmental  Criteria and Assessment Office
    Cincinnati, OH
                                      v1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.
2.
3.



4.




5.
6.
7.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY AND FATE 	
ABSORPTION FACTORS IN HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS . . .
TOXICITY IN HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS ........
3.1. ACUTE, SUBCHRONIC AND CHRONIC TOXICITY 	
3.2. TERATOGENICITY AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS. . . .
3.3. TOXICANT INTERACTIONS 	
CARCINOGENICITY 	
4.1. HUMAN DATA 	
4.2. BIOASSAYS 	
4.3. OTHER RELEVANT DATA 	
4.4. WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE 	
REGULATORY STANDARDS AND CRITERIA 	
RECOMMENDATIONS . 	
REFERENCES 	
Paqe
1
... 4
. . . 5
. . . 5
. . . 7
. . . 7
. . . 8
. . . 8
. . . 8
. . . 8
. . . 9
. . . 10
. . . 11
. . . 13

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                            LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
DNA                     DeoxyMbonuclelc add
ID50                    Dose  lethal  to 50% of recipients
ppm                     Parts  per million

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                      1.   ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY AND FATE

     Selected  physical properties  and the available data on the environmental
 fate of the  nltrophenols  are  summarized In Table  1-1.   NHrophenols can be
 classified  as nltroaromatlc hydrocarbons.
     Available  data  regarding  the  environmental  fate  of the  nltrophenols
 pertain  primarily  to 4-n1trophenol.  It  1s  assumed  that  the environmental
 fate 1s  similar  for 2-,  3- and 4-n1trophenol.   Monitoring data Indicate that
 4-nltrophenol 1s  removed  from  the atmosphere  by wet and dry deposition (U.S.
 EPA,  1985).  Direct  photolysis  or  reaction  with  photochemlcally  generated
 hydroxyl  radicals  are  also   potential  removal  mechanisms.   The  estimated
 atmospheric removal  half-life  of  the nltrophenols  that 1s due to rainfall 1s
 3  weeks  and the estimated hydroxyl  reaction  half-life of 2-nltrophenol 1s 9
 days  (U.S.  EPA,  1985).   The  half-lives of  2- and 3-nltrophenols  1n  water
 could  not  be  located 1n  the available  literature.   U.S.  EPA  (1985) reported
 that  4-nHrophenol  reacts quite  rapidly  with  hydroxyl radicals  In  water  1n
 the  presence  of  sunlight  and  that the nltrophenols are capable of undergoing
 significant blodegradatlon  1n  various ambient  surface waters.   The observed
 photolysis  half-life of  4-n1trophenol   1n  aqueous  solution  Is  reported  to
 vary  from 16  hours  to 5.7 days at pH 5, 6.7 days at pH 7 and  13.7 days at pH
 11.5  (U.S.  EPA,  1985).   The   soil half-life  of 4-n1trophenol was  estimated
 using a  decay rate  constant of 0.105/day measured  In a model  soil ecosystem.
 Soil microorganisms are capable of degrading  the nltrophenols  and the nltro-
 phenols  may  be   susceptible  to  leaching  1n  certain  soil  types,  although
 blodegradatlon may  occur  rapidly  enough to prevent  extensive  leaching  (U.S.
 EPA, 1985).
0072h                               _1_                              08/27/86

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                                  TABLE 1-1



          Physical  Properties and Environmental Fate of NHrophenols*
Properties
CAS Registry number:
Molecular weight:
Vapor pressure:
Water solubility:
Log octanol/water
partition coefficient:
pKa:
B1oconcentrat1on
factor:
Soil adsorption
coefficient:
Half-life 1n
A1r:
Water:
Soil:
2-NHrophenol
88-75-5
139.11
0.23 at 20°C
0.152 at 20°C
0.11 at 25°C
21,000 mg/j.
at 20°C
1.79
7.23
8-13.5
(estimated)
113.52,
clay loam
<9 days
NR
NR
3-N1trophenol
554-84-7
139.11
0.75 at 20°C
13,500 mg/i
at 20-25°C
2.00
2.00
3-19.5
(estimated)
52.83,
clay loam
NR
NR
NR
4-N1trophenol
100-02-7
139.11
0.75 at 20°C
16,000 mg/l
at 25°C
1.85-1.91
7.156
11-30 green algae
(Chlorella fusca)
57-180, fish
55.25, clay loam
133-400
clay soils
NR
16 hours to
>6.7 days
6.6 days
(estimated)
'Source: U.S.  EPA,  1985



NR - Not reported
0072h
-2-
08/27/86

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     4-Nitrophenol  1s  produced as  a metabolite  by  m1crob1al  and  hydrolytlc
 decomposition .of the  pesticides  parathlon,  methyl parathlon  and  fluorodlfen
 (U.S.  EPA, 1985).  Occupational  exposure  that  1s due to dermal contact  with
 4-n1trophenol may result  from handling crops treated with  these  pesticides.
 The general  public may  be exposed  by  1ngest1on of food containing  4-n1tro-
 phenol   residues  as  suggested  by  the Identification  of  4-nltrophenol  on
 spinach  that  was treated with parathlon (U.S. EPA, 1985).   2-N1trophenol  and
 4-n1trophenol have  been detected  In atmospheric  partlculates; thus,  exposure
 from Inhalation  potentially  exists  (U.S.  EPA,  1985).   The  relatively  low
 vapor  pressures  for   these  compounds  at  ambient  temperatures  suggest  that
 volatilization would  be minimal  and that  exposure by  the  oral  route may  be
 more relevant.
0072h                               -3-                              08/27/86

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           2.   ABSORPTION  FACTORS  IN  HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

    Pertinent  quantitative data  regarding  the  absorption  of  nltrophenols
after  oral  or  Inhalation exposure  could not  be  located  In  the  available
literature.
0072h                               -4-                              08/08/86

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                3.  TOXICITY IN HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
 3.1.    ACUTE, SUBCHRONIC AND CHRONIC TOXICITY
     Pertinent  data  regarding  subchronlc  or  chronic  oral   and  Inhalation
 toxldty  of  nltrophenols  1n man or experimental animals could not be located
 In  the  available  literature.
     Table  3-1  lists  oral   LD-n  values  for   the  nltrophenols  1n  rats  and
 mice.   From these  data  It  appears  that  4-n1trophenol may be more  toxic to
 rats  and  mice than  the  2-  and 3-1somers.  Mice appear  to  be more sensitive
 than  rats  to  2-n1trophenol  and  rats  may be  more  sensitive than  mice to
 3-nltrophenol.   Methemoglobln  formation  was   reported after  acute  4-nltro-
 phenol  administration  to cats  (von  Oettlngen,  1941)  and after 4-n1trophenol
 administration  to mice  (Smith et  al.,   1967)  (route of  administration  not
 reported  1n secondary sources)  but not  after  oral  administration  of  3- or
 4-n1trophenol  to rats  (Grant, 1959).   The U.S.  EPA (1980)  concluded  that
 methemoglob1nem1a may  be dependent  upon the  nltroreductase  activity  of  the
 organism, which  1s  not extensive  1n most species.   Oglno and Yasukura (1957)
 reported  cataract  formation  In  4-n1trophenol  treated  vitamin  C-def1c1ent
 guinea  pigs,  but H was  unclear  whether this  effect  was  primarily  from  the
 vitamin deficiency Itself (U.S. EPA, 1980).
    Since  2,4-d1n1trophenol  1s ah  uncoupler  of  oxldatlve  phosphorylatlon
 (U.S. EPA,  1980), several  Investigators  have  explored  the  possibility  that
mononltrophenols  act similarly.   Cameron  (1958)  found substantial  differ-
ences In  the effect of  mononltrophenol  on the metabolic activity  of  rats.
Carbon  dioxide output was Increased by  4-n1trophenol, oxygen consumption  was
depressed  by  3-n1trophenol  and  2-n1trophenol  had  no  effect  on  either
parameter.  Of  the  mono- and  d1-n1trophenols   tested,  only 2,4-d1n1trophenol
0072h                               -5-                              08/27/86

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                                  TABLE 3-1



              Acute Toxlclty of Orally Administered NHrophenols*
Isomer
2-N1trophenol
3-N1trophenol
4-N1trophenol
Species
rat
mouse
rat
mouse
rat
rat
mouse
L050
(mg/kg)
2830
1300
930
1410
620
350
470
Reference
Vernot et al. ,
Vernot et al. ,
Vernot et al.,
Falrchlld, 1977
Vernot et al.,

1977
1977
.1977
1977
'Source: U.S.  EPA,  1985
0072h
-6-
08/08/86

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 stimulated  both  carbon  dioxide  output  and  oxygen  consumption.   Based  on
 these  results,  the U.S. EPA  (1980)  concluded  that  the mononltrophenols were
 not  potent  uncouplers of oxldatlve phosphorylatlon.
     The   findings  of  direct   binding  of   3-n1trophenol   to  erythrocyte
 membranes,  leading to the formation of  ghost  cells  (Mackleldt et a!., 1972)
 and  2- and 4-nltrophenol  Inhibition of  chloride transport  In erythrocytes
 (Motals et  al.,  1978)  suggest that  these agents may act directly on the cell
 membrane. Species  were  unspecified and no further details were given.
     An abstract  of a Russian study  (Makhlnya,  1969)  stated  that administra-
 tion of  2-,  3-  or  4-n1trophenol  caused  gastritis,  enteritis,  colitis,
 hepatitis,  neuritis,  splenic  hyperplasla  and  Inhibited  oxidation processes
 1n an unspecified  species.  Details were limited.
 3.2.   TERATOGENICITY AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS
     In  a  preliminary   developmental  toxldty  test   1n  groups  of  10  mice.
 Plasterer et al.  (1985) found that  oral  administration of 400 mg/kg 4-nltro-
 phenol,  from  days 7-14 of  gestation, had  no  adverse effects  on  Indices  of
 fetal  survival,   birth  weights  or  the  Incidence  of gross  malformations.
 Maternal  survival  and  weight gain,  however,  were  significantly  decreased.
 The  oral  LQ,Q  for   adult  mice  when  administered  da^ly  for  8  days  was
 calculated  to be 625.7 mg/kg  In this study.
 3.3.   TOXICANT INTERACTIONS
     Relnke  and  Moyer  (1985)   found  that  ethanol  pretreatment  caused  rapid
mlcrosomal  metabolism  of  4-nHrophenol  to 4-nHrocateehol,  which In  turn
 competed with 4-nltrophenol for conjugation with  glucuronlc  acid or sulfate.
Much slower rates  of  metabolic Induction were  effected by  Interactions  with
phenobarbHal  and B-napthoflavone.
0072h                               -7-                              11/06/86

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                              4.   CARCINOGENICITY
4.1.   HUMAN DATA
    Data  regarding  the carcinogenlcHy  of  the nHrophenols to  humans  could
not be located 1n the available literature.
4.2.   BIOASSAYS
    Pertinent data  regarding  oral  or  Inhalation  oncogenldty 1n experimental
animals could not be located In the available literature.
4.3.   OTHER RELEVANT DATA
    Boutwell and  Bosch  (1959) conducted skin-painting assays  In  female mice
using  25  yl of  2-  or  4-n1trophenol  In  dloxane,  twice  weekly for  12  weeks.
The Incidence  of  any tumor type  was  not Increased as a result  of  treatment
with either compound.   The  U.S.  EPA (1985)  considered this  study Inadequate
for assessment of the oncogenlc potency of nltrophenol.
    The  NTP (1986)  Is  currently  conducting  a  chronic  skin-painting  study
with 4-nltrophenol 1n mice.
    The results of mutagenlclty testing  of  the nltrophenol  Isomers  have been
summarized  by  U.S.  EPA (1985).   For  the most part,  2-, 3-  or  4-n1trophenol
did not  Increase the  frequency  of  reverse mutations  In  either  Salmonella
typhlmurlum  or  Escherlchla  coll   (Taylor,  1979a,b;  Haworth  et  al.,  1983;
Suzuki   et   al.,  1983;   Probst  et  al.,  1981).   Fahrlg  (1974)  reported  that
4-n.1trophenol also did  not  Increase the  frequency  of  forward mutations  1n E_.
coll or  Serratla marcescens.  or  recessive lethal  mutations  1n  Drosophlla
melanogaster;  however,  Increases   In  the frequency  of  mltotlc gene  conver-
sion,   probably   Indicative  of   DNA   single-strand   breaks  were  found  In
Saccharomyces  cerevlslae  with  4-nltrophenol   (Fahrlg,  1974).   In  confluent
human   flbroblast  cultures,  4-n1trophenol Inhibited both repair  and repHca-
tlve DNA synthesis (Polrler  et al., 1975).


0072h                                -8-                              08/27/86

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 4.4.    WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE



    The nltrophenols  should  be classified as  IARC Group  3  or EPA  Group  0



 (U.S.  EPA,  1986).   These classifications  apply  to  chemicals  with Inadequate



 relevant carclnogenlcHy data.
0072h                               -9-                              02/04/87

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                     5.   REGULATORY STANDARDS  AND  CRITERIA

    PerMnent  guidelines  and standards  Including EPA ambient water  and air
quality  criteria,  drinking water  standards,  HAs,  AADIs  and ACGIH,  NIOSH or
OSHA  occupational  exposure  limits could  not  be located  1n  the  available
literature.   The  U.S. EPA  (1980)  defined organoleptlc  detection thresholds
for nltrophenols  of  0.24-389 mg/8. based upon  the Soviet  literature.   U.S.
EPA  (1980)  stated  that   the  absence  of chronic toxldty  data  precluded
derivation of water criteria for the nltrophenols.
    The  tolerance  for the  herbicide fluorodlfen and  Its  metabolites (Includ-
ing 4-n1trophenol)  on peanut hulls,  peanuts  and  peanut  vine hay Is  0.2 ppm
(CFR,  1982).   For  soybean  forage,  soybeans,  and  seed  and  pod  vegetables and
their  forages, the tolerance 1s  0.1 ppm (CFR,  1982).
0072h                               -10-                             08/08/86

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                              6.   RECOMMENDATIONS

     Results  from  a  limited  number  of  mutagenldty  tests  In  prokaryotlc
 systems  Indicate  that  the nltrophenols  are  not  potent mutagens,  although
 effects  on  DNA  synthesis  In human flbroblasts  wHh 4-nKrophenol  (Po1r1era et
 al.,  1975)  are cause for  concern.   Both 2- and 4-nltrophenol  were  negative
 1n   skin-painting  studies  using  mice;  4-nltrophenol  1s   currently  being
 retested  1n this  system  by  the  NTP   (1986).   Recommendations for  further
 cardnogenldty  testing of  these  compounds  await  the results of   the  NTP
 (1986) study In progress.
     If the  results of this study do not  suggest a carcinogenic role  for  the
 nltrophenols,  subchronlc  threshold  toxldty   testing would   be  In  order,
 Initially   by   oral  exposure.    The   oral   LD5Q  data  suggest   different
 thresholds of toxldty  for the different  Isomers of nltrophenol In  different
 species  (U.S.   EPA,  1985).   Other acute  toxldty  data  Indicate  that  the
 different Isomers  may have different mechanisms  of toxldty.  Cameron  (1958),
 for  example,  observed  marked  differences  In  the  Impact  of  the  various
 Isomers  on   the   metabolic   activity  of  rats.   4-NHrophenol  has  been
 associated with ca-taract formation  In guinea pigs  (Oglno and  Yasukura,  1957)
 and  methemoglob1nem1a In  cats  (von Oettlngen,  1941) and mice (Smith  et al.,
 1967).   An  abstract  of a  Russian study  (Makhlnya,  1969)  associates gas^
 trHls,  enteritis, colitis,  hepatitis,  neuritis, splenic  hyperplasla  and
 Inhibited oxidation  processes  with each  of  the nltrophenol  Isomers.   These
 data  are Insufficient  to  suggest  a  target  organ for  these compounds  and
 these data  suggest that risk  assessment  for  one Isomer should  not be  based
 by analogy on data obtained with  another  Isomer.   Similarly,  risk assessment
0072h                               -11-                            01/23/87

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of  the nltrophenols  should not  be  based  on  analogy to  2,4-d1n1tropheno1
since  these  chemicals  appear  to  differ  markedly  In their  mechanisms  of
toxldty (U.S. EPA, 1980).
    Although  4-n1trophenol  had no  apparent  effects on reproductive  Indices
or  gross  malformation 1n mice treated during  gestation  (Plasterer et  al.,
1985), the  small  number  of  animals/test group and  the  limited  parameters  of
developmental toxldty measured render  this study  Inadequate  to  serve  as the
sole basis  for evaluating the  reproductive toxlclty of  this  compound.   It  Is
recommended   that  the  developmental   toxldty  of all   three   Isomers  be
evaluated  more  completely   and   that   animals  from  subchronlc  studies  be
evaluated to  determine  potential  effects  of these  compounds  on  reproductive
performance.
0072h                               -12-                             01/23/87

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                                7.  REFERENCES

 Boutwell,  R.K.  and O.K.  Bosch.  1959.  The  tumor-promoting  action  of phenol
 and  related compounds for mouse skin.  Cancer Res.  19: 413-424.

 Cameron, M.A.M.   1958.   The action of nltrophenols on  the  metabolic rate of
 rats.  Br. 3. Pharmacol.  13: 25-29.

 CFR  (Code  of  Federal   Regulations).    1982.    Fluorodlfen:  Tolerances  for
 Residues.  40 CFR  180.290.

 Fahrlg,  R.   1974.  Comparative mutagenlclty studies  with  pesticides.   IARC
 Scl. Publ.  10: 161-181.

 Falrchlld,  E.O.,  Ed.   1977.   Agricultural  chemicals  and  pesticides.   A
 subfile  of  the  NIOSH  Registry of  Toxic  Effects of  Chemical  Substances.
 NIOSH, Cincinnati, OH.  (CUed In  U.S. EPA, 1980)

 Grant, C.M.   1959.  The  action of nHrophenols  on  the  pulmonary ventilation
 of rats.  Br. 0. Pharmacol.   14: 401-403.  (Cited 1n U.S.  EPA,  1985)

 Haworth,  S.,   T.   Lawlor,  K.  Mortelmans,  W.  Speck  and  E.  Zelger.   1983.
 Salmonella mutagenlclty  test results  for  250 chemicals.   Environ.  Mutagen.
 Suppl.  1:  3-142.  (CHed 1n U.S..EPA, 1985)

Mackleldt,   H.,   et al.   1972.   The  hydrophoblc   expansion  of  erythrocyte
membranes  by  the  phenol  anesthetics.   Blochem. Blophys.  Acta.  225:  178.
 (Cited In U.S. EPA, 1980)

0072h                               -13-                              08/08/86

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Makhlnya,  A.P.   1969.   [Comparative  hygienic  and  sanitary  toxlcologlcal
studies  on  nltrophenol  Isomers  1n  relation  to  their  normalization  1n
reservoir  waters.]   (Rus.)   Prom.  Zagryazneulya  Vodoeuov.   9:  84-85.   (CA
72:47231c)   (Cited In U.S. EPA. 1983b)

Motals,  R.,  F.  Sola   and   J.L.  Cousin.   1978.   Uncouplers  of  oxldatlve
phosphorylatlon,  a  structure-activity  study  of  their  Inhibitory effect  on
passive  chloride  permeability.   Blochem.  Blophys.   Acta.    510:  201-207.
(Cited 1n U.S. EPA, 1980, 1985)

NTP   (National   Toxicology   Program).   1986.   Management   Status   Report.
3/12/86.

Oglno, S.  and K.  Yasukura.   1957.    Biochemical studies  of  cataracts.   VI.
Production of cataracts  1n guinea pigs  with dinltrophenol.   Am J. Ophthamol.
43: 936-946.  (Cited 1n U.S.  EPA, 1980,  1985)

Plasterer, M.R.,  W.S.  Bradshaw,  G.H.  Booth,  M.W.   Carter,  R.L.  Schuler  and
B.D.  Hardln.   1985.    Developmental  toxldty  of  nine  selected  compounds
following prenatal exposure  1n  the mouse:  Naphthalene,  p-n1trophenol,  sodium
selenlte,  dimethyl  phvhalate,   ethylenethlourea   and   four   glycol   ether
derivatives.  J. Toxlcol. Environ. Health.   15(1).:  25-38.

Po1r1er,  M.C.,  B.T.  Dedcco  and M.W. L1eke1man.    1975.   Nonspecific  Inhibi-
tion of DNA  repair synthesis  by  tumor promoters  1n human  dlplold flbroblasts
damaged with N-acetoxy-2-acetylamlno-fluorene.   Cancer Res.   35: 1392-1397.
(Cited In U.S. EPA,  1985)


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Probst,  G.S.,  R.E.  McMahow,   I.E.  H111,  C.Z.  Thompson,  J.K.  Epp and  S.B.
Neal.   1981.   Chemically  Induced  unscheduled DNA  synthesis  In primary  rat
hepatocyte  cultures:  A  comparison  with  bacterial mutagenlclty  using  218
compounds.  Environ. Mutagen.   3: 11-32.  (CHed In U.S. EPA,  1985)

Relnke,  L.A.  and M.J.  Moyer.   1985.  p-NUrophenol  hydroxylatlon.  A  mlcro-
somal  oxidation  which  Is highly  Induclble  by ethanol.  Drug Metab.  Dlspos.
13: 548-552.  (CA 104:1046982r)

Smith,  R.P.,  A.A.  Alkaltls  and  P.R.  Schafer.   1967.    Chemically  Induced
methemoglob1nem1a  1n  the mouse.   Blochem. Pharm.   16:  317-328.  (CHed  In
U.S. EPA, 1985)

Suzuki,  J., T.  Koyama  and  S.  Suzuki.   1983.   Mutagenlclty of  mononltroben-
zene derivatives  In the  presence  of  norharman.   Mutat.. Res.   120:  105-110.
(Cited In U.S. EPA, 1985)

Taylor,  G.  1979a.   Laboratory Investigations Branch,  DROS,  NIOSH.  Written'
communication   dated June 12,  1979  to  Mutagenlclty  Task Force, regarding
mutagenlclty testing of  ortho- and para-nltrophenols.   {CHed   In U.S.  EPA,
1985)

Taylor,  G.  1979b.   Laboratory  Investigation  Branch,  DRDS,  NIOSH.  Written
communication  dated June  12, 1979  to Mutagenlclty Task  Force, NIOSH, regard-
Ing mutagenlclty testing of  meta-nltrophenol.   (CHed In U.S.  EPA,1985)
0072h                               -15-                             08/08/86

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 U.S.  EPA.   1980.  Ambient Water  Quality  Criteria  Document for NHrophenols.
 Prepared  by  the Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental
 Criteria  and  Assessment  Office,  Cincinnati,  OH  for the Office of Hater Regu-
 lations and Standards, Washington, DC.  EPA 440/5-80-063.  NTIS PB81-117749.
                       j
 U.S.  EPA.   1983a.   Reportable  Quantity  Document for 2-N1trophenol.   Prepared
 by  the  Office of Health  and  Environmental Assessment,  Environmental Criteria
 and  Assessment  Office,   Cincinnati,  OH  for  the   Office  of  Emergency  and
 Remedial Response, Washington,  DC.

 U.S.  EPA.   1983b.   Reportable  Quantity  Document for p-NHrophenol.   Prepared
 by  the  Office of Health  and  Environmental Assessment,  Environmental Criteria
 and  Assessment  Office,   Cincinnati,  OH  for  the   Office  of  Emergency  and
 Remedial Response, Washington,  DC.

 U.S.  EPA.  1983c.   Reportable  Quantity  Document  for  NHrophenol  (Mixed).
 Prepared by the  Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental
 Criteria and  Assessment  Office,  Cincinnati, OH for the Office  of  'Emergency
 and Remedial Response., Washington, DC.

 U.S.  EPA.  1985.  Health  and Environmental  Effects Profile for NHrophenols.
 Prepared by the  Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental
 Criteria and Assessment Office,  Cincinnati,  OH  for the Office of Solid W.iste
and Emergency Response, Washington, DC.

U.S.  EPA.   1986.   Guidelines  for  Carcinogen  Risk   Assessment.    Federal
Register.   5^1(185):  33992-34003.


0072h                               -16-                             02/06/87

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 Vernot,   E.H.,   J.D.  MacEwen,  C.C.  Haun   and  E.R.  Klnhead.   1977.    Acute
 toxldty and skin  conversion data for  some  organic and  Inorganic  compounds
 and aqueous solution.  Toxlcol. Appl. Pharmacol.   42(2):  417-423.   (Cited  In
 U.S.  EPA, 1985)

 von Oett'lngen,   W.F.   1941.   The  aromatic  amlne and  nltro compounds,  their
 toxldty and potential  dangers.   A  review  of  the  literature.   U.S.  Publ.
 Health Bull.  271:  130-155.   (Cited In U.S. EPA,  1985)
                                  U,S, EnTTronrtent'aT Prn-fentlon Sgency
                                                      '-  M
0072h                               -17-                             02/06/87

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