TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
                            (futt€ read /lutnicrioiu on tH« revcru before completing]
1. REPORT NO.
                             2.
                                                           3. RECIPIENTS ACCESSION NO.

                                                                 PB88-179502 	
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
                                                           8. REPORT DATE
  Health  Effects  Assessment for  Acetonitrile
                                                           6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
                                                            . PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
 . PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND AOORESS
                                                            10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
                                                           11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME ANO AOORESS
                                                           13. TYPE OF REPORT ANO 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
IS. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
 e. 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 32991 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,  RfD£  or subchronic 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.  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, qi*s  have  been computed, if appropriate,  based on oral and
 inhalation data if available.
7.
                               KEY WORDS ANO DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
                 DESCRIPTORS
                                             b.lOENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
                                                                         c. COSATi Field/Croup
ft. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT

 Public
                                              19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)

                                                Unclassified
21. NO. Of PASES
                                             20. SECURITY CLASS (ThlJpage/
                                               Unclassified
                                                                         22. PRICE
EPA F«r« 2220-1 (R««. 4-77)
                             COITION is OMOV.ETC

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                                             EPA/600/8-88/012
                                             June,  1987
          HEALTH  EFFECTS ASSESSMENT
               FOR ACETONITRILE
ENVIRONMENTAL  CRITERIA AND ASSESSMENT OFFICE
OFFICE OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL  ASSESSMENT
      OFFICE  OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
    U.S.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
             CINCINNATI, OH 45268
              U.S. Environmental Protection
              Y;c,;Lon 5, Library (5PL-1S)
              ;.-;'-:u .".-. Dsartorn Street,  uoc-n 1670
              Cbieaso, IL   60604

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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 summarizes and  evaluates  Information  relevant to a prelimi-
 nary Interim  assessment of  adverse  health  effects associated  with  aceto-
 nltrlle.   All  estimates  of  acceptable  Intakes  and  carcinogenic  potency
 presented  In  this  document  should  be considered  as  preliminary reflecting
 limited  resources  allocated  to  this project.   Pertinent  toxlcologlc  and
 environmental  data were  located through on-line  literature  searches  of the
 TOXLINE  and  the CHEMFATE/DATALOG  data bases.   The basic literature searched
 supporting  this document Is  current  up to Hay,  1986.   Secondary sources of
 Information  have  also been  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 Assess-
 ment (OHEA)  sources have been  extensively utilized:

     U.S.  EPA.   1983a.   Reportable Quantity Document  for AcetonHrlle.
     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.    1985a.   Health  and  Environmental  Effects Profile  for
     Acetonltrlle.   Prepared by  the  Office of  Health  and Environmental
     Assessment,    Environmental    Criteria    and   Assessment   Office,
     Cincinnati,   OH   for   the  Office  of  Solid  Waste  and  Emergency
     Response, Washington, OC.

     The Intent  In  these assessments  Is 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  1n
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 chemical(s) addressed.

     Whenever  possible,   two categories  of values  have  been estimated  for
systemic  toxicants  (toxicants  for  which  cancer  1s   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  Hfespan).
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  1s  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$i)  and  oral   (RfO$o)
exposures.
                                      111

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    The  RfD  (formerly  AIC)  1s  similar  In  concept and  addresses  chronic
exposure.   It  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  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 1s 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  Is  explained  In  U.S.
EPA (1983).

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

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                                   ABSTRACT
    In  order  to  place  the  risk  assessment evaluation  1n proper  context,
refer  to the  preface of  this  document.   The  preface outlines  limitations
applicable  to  all   documents  of  this  series  as  well  as the  appropriate
Interpretation and use of the quantitative estimates presented.

    The  RfDso (4.6  mg/day)  and  RfDg  (0.5  mg/day)  values  for  acetonltrlle
were based on  a mouse NOAEL  of  39 mg/kg/day derived from a 92-day Inhalation
study (Coate. 1983a).

    The  RfD$i  (9.1   mg/day)  and  RfDj  (0.91   mg/day)  values  were  derived
from  same study.   The  Inhalation  values  are  higher  than the oral  values
because  applications of an  absorption factor   Is necessary 1n extrapolation
from  Inhalation  to  oral  exposure.   A CS  of 26 was based  on  teratogenldty
and fetotoxldty  In  hamsters treated with  a single  oral dose of 200 ing/kg of
acetonltrlle on day 8 of gestation (W1llh1te, 1983).

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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.   Or.  Christopher  DeRosa and  Karen
Blackburn  were the  Technical  Project  Monitors and  John  Helms  (Office  of
Toxic  Substances) was  the Project  Officer.   The  final  documents   1n  this
series  were prepared  for  the  Office of  Emergency  and Remedial  Response,
Washington, OC.

    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 Haste
         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 Kim Davidson
    Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office
    Cincinnati, OH
                                      v1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.
2.


3.










4.








5.


ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY AND FATE 	 	
ABSORPTION FACTORS IN HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS . . .
2.1.
2.2.
ORAL 	
INHALATION 	
TOXICITY IN HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS 	
3.1.


3.2.


3.3.


3.4.
SUBCHRONIC 	
3.1.1. Oral 	
3.1.2. Inhalation 	
CHRONIC 	
3.2.1. Oral 	
3.2.2. Inhalation 	
TERATOGENICITY AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS. . . .
3.3.1. Oral 	 	
3.3.2. Inhalation 	
TOXICANT INTERACTIONS 	
CARCINOGENICITY 	
4.1.


4.2.


4.3.
4.4.
HUMAN DATA 	
4.1.1. Oral 	
4.1.2. Inhalation 	
BIOASSAYS 	
4.2.1. Oral 	
4.2.2. Inhalation 	
OTHER RELEVANT DATA 	
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE 	
REGULATORY STANDARDS AND CRITERIA 	
Paqe
... 1
... 3
. . . 3
. . . 3
. . . 5
. . . 5
. . . 5
5
. . . 8
. . . 8
. . . 8
. . . 8
. . . 8
. . . 11
. . . 12
14
. . . 14
. . . 14
. . . 14
14
. . . 14
. . . 14
. . . 14
. . . 15
. . . 16

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                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                        Page
 6.  RISK ASSESSMENT	    17
     6.1.   SUBCHRONIC REFERENCE DOSE (RfOs)  	    17
            6.1.1.   Oral (RfDso)	    17
            6.1.2.   Inhalation (RfDSi).  .  	    17
     6.2.   REFERENCE DOSE (RfD)	    18
            6.2.1.   Oral (RfDo)	    18
            6.2.2.   Inhalation (RfDj)  	    19
     6.3.   CARCINOGENIC POTENCY (q-|*)	    20
 7.  REFERENCES	    22
APPENDIX: Suwnary Table for AcetonltrUe	    28

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                             LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
 AOI                      Acceptable  dally  Intake
 BUN                      Blood  urea  nitrogen
 bw                       Body weight
 CAS                      Chemical  abstract  service
 CS                       Composite score
 Ig                       Immunoglobulln
 Koc                      Soil sorptlon coefficient  standardized
                         with respect to organic  carbon
 LCso                     Concentration lethal to  SOX of  recipients
                         (and all other subscripted  dose levels)
 LDso                     Dose lethal to SOX of recipients
 LOAEL                    Lowest-observed-adverse-effect  level
 MED                      Minimum effective  dose
 NOAEL                    No-observed-adverse-effect  level
 ppm                      Parts  per million
 RBC                      Red  blood cell chollnesterase
 RfD                      Reference dose
 RfDj                     Inhalation  reference dose
 RfDg                     Oral reference dose
 RfD$                     Subchronlc  reference dose
 RfDgi                    Subchronlc  Inhalation reference dose
 RfO$o                    Subchronlc oral reference dose
 STEL                     Short-term exposure level
TLV                      Threshold limit value
TSH                      Thyroid stimulating hormone
TWA                      Time-weighted average
                                      1x

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                      1.   ENVIRONMENTAL  CHEMISTRY AND FATE

     Selected physical  and  chemical  properties  and  environmental   fate  of
 acetonltrlle are  listed  In  Table  1-1.
     In  the  atmosphere,   acetonltrlle   should  exist primarily  In the  vapor
 phase  and  1s  expected   to  react  with ozone  and  photochemically-generated
 hydroxyl  radicals.   The  atmospheric half-life  listed  In Table  1-1  1s  based
 on  the  contribution  from both  ozone and hydroxyl  radical  reactions.   It  1s
 based  on  an ozone  reaction rate  constant of  <1.5xlO~19  cm3/molecule-sec,
 an  ambient  ozone concentration  of 101S molecule/cm3,  a  hydroxyl  reaction
 rate   constant    of   ~5xlO~14   cmVmolecule-sec  at  25°C  and   an   ambient
 hydroxyl  concentration   of  8.0x10* molecule/cm3.   In  moderately  polluted
 air, the  hydroxyl reaction rate  1s  10  times  faster than 1n typical  air,  and
 a half-life  of  <20 days  has been calculated.   The  complete water solubility
 of  acetonltrlle suggests that  dissolution  Into clouds and  rain  droplets  may
 occur,  with   subsequent  removal   by  rainfall  (U.S.   EPA,  1985a).  In  water,
 mlcroblal  degradation and  volatilization appear  to be  the  significant  fate
 and transport processes.  At 20-25°C,  the half-life In  natural  waters can  be
 estimated to  be -1-2  weeks  from blodegradatlon  study data In river water  and
 from  volatility  estimations  (U.S.  EPA,  1985a).    Adsorption  to  suspended
 solids and sediments  and bloaccumulatlon In aquatic organisms  should not  be
 significant.   The half-life of  acetonltrlle In soil could  not  be located  1n
 the  available  literature.   Laboratory  data  Indicate  that acetonltrlle  1s
 susceptible  to  significant  mlcroblal  degradation.   Significant  evaporation
 from soil  surfaces  may also occur.   Estimated  K   values  ranging from  2-15
 suggest  that acetonltrlle  would be  highly mobile and,  therefore, would
easily leach In soil (U.S. EPA. 1985a).
0104h                               -1-                              12/10/86

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                                   TABLE  1-1
  Selected Physical and Chemical Properties and Half-Lives for Aceton1tr1le*
                    Property
                   Value
          CAS number:
          Chemical class:
          Molecular weight:
          Vapor pressure at 20°C:
          Water solubility:
          Log octanol/water
            partition coefficient:
          B1oconcentrat1on factor:
          Soil adsorption coefficient:
          Half-lives:
            Air
            Water
            Soil
            75-05-8
            alky! nltrlle
            41.05
            74 mm Hg
            completely mlsclble
            -0.34
            0.3 (estimated)
            2-15 (estimated)
            -42 days(estlmated)
            -1-2 weeks
            NA
'Source: U.S. EPA. 1985a
NA - Not available
0104h
-2-
12/10/8e»

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           2.  ABSORPTION FACTORS IN HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
 2.1.    ORAL
    Quantitative  data  regarding  the absorption  of acetonltrlle  after  oral
 exposure  could not be  located  1n  the  available  literature.  Several pharma-
 coklnetlc  studies  (Ahmed and Farooqul,  1982;  Silver et al., 1982) and toxlc-
 1ty  studies  (Pozzanl  et al.,  1959a;  Ulllhlte,  1983),  however.  Imply  that
 some  acetonltMle  Is  absorbed after  Ingestlon.   Ahmed and  Farooqul  (1982)
 Identified  cyanide  In  the  liver,  kidney  and  brain  of   rats   after  oral
 treatment  with 2460 mg/kg  of  acetonltrlle 1n saline.   Silver  et al.  (1982)
 reported  that 11.8X of  the  dose administered  orally  to  rats was excreted as
 thlocyanate  In the  urine  within  24  hours  after  Ingestlon.    The  toxlclty
 studies,  discussed  In   Chapter  3,  resulted  In  adverse  effects  after  oral
 exposure to acetonltrlle.
 2.2.    INHALATION
    Quantitative  data  regarding  the  absorption  of  acetonltrlle  In  humans
 after  Inhalation  exposure  are available  (Dalhamn  et al.,  1968a,b).   In  a
 group  of  16  human  subjects who were  cigarette  smokers, an average of  74%
 absorption of  acetonltrlle  was  measured  when  the  smoke was  held In the  mouth
 for 2  seconds  and  was  not Inhaled.   When the  subjects were  classified  by  the
 number  of  cigarettes   smoked/day,  a  slight   but   statistically  significant
 (p<0.05)  Inverse  correlation  was  noted  between the  smoking  rate and  the
 extent  of  acetonltrlle  absorption  (Dalhamn  et  al.,   1968a).   When   the
 cigarette  smoke  was  Inhaled   Into  the  lungs,   absorption of  acetonltrlle
 Increased to 91X (Oalhamn et al., 1968b).
0104h                               -3-                              10/24/86

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    The  only other  quantitative study  on  absorption  Is  that  conducted  by
Pozzanl  et  al.  (1959a), In which three  beagle dogs  were  exposed for 4 hours
to  acetonltrlle  vapor  at  an  air  concentration  of  16,000  ppm  (27,000
mg/m3).   After  ~1   hour,  blood  cyanide  concentrations  were  33-53  yg/100
ml  blood.   Blood  cyanide levels  peaked  after  -3 hours  (305-433  yg/100
ml  blood)  and  were  somewhat  reduced  at  the  end  of  the  4-hour  exposure
period   (266-291  yg/100  ml  blood).   The  authors  did  not  discuss  this
pattern  of  absorption  but  noted one "analytical artifact" during  the elimi-
nation phase  of this study.   Given the  small number  of animals  used 1n this
study and possible  problems  In  the analytical  technique, these data cannot
be used  to  derive a rate coefficient for absorption.   Nonetheless,  the data
Indicate  qualitatively  that acetonltrlle Is  absorbed rapidly upon  Inhalation
and suggest  that  the dogs may  have been nearlng  steady-state blood concen-
trations at 3-4 hours after exposure.
0104h                               -4-                              10/24/86

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                 3.   TOXICITY  IN HUMANS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
 3.1.    SUBCHRONIC
 3.1.1.    Oral.   Pertinent data regarding the  toxldty  of acetonltMle after
 oral  exposure could not be located 1n  the available  literature.
 3.1.2.    Inhalation.   Pozzanl  et  al.  (1959a)  Investigated the  toxldty of
 acetonltrlle 1n subchronlc Inhalation experiments In rats, dogs and monkeys.
 Wlstar  rats (15/sex/exposure level plus two sets of controls of 15/sex) were
 exposed to  0,  166  ppm (279  mg/m3), 330 ppm  (554 mg/m3)  and  655  ppm (1100
 mg/m3)  acetonltrlle  7  hours/day,  5  days/week  for 90  days.   At the  166 or
 330  ppm levels,  no statistically  significant  changes were  observed  In body
 weights,  organ weights or  hlstologlcal  appearance  of  selected major  organs.
 At  655 ppm,  10/27 males  and females  had  pulmonary lesions as  evidenced by
 "alveolar   capillary  congestion  and/or focal  edema,  often accompanied  by
 bronchial  Inflammation, desquamatlon and hypersecretlon  of mucus."  Central
 cloudy  swelling of the liver and  tubular cloudy swelling of the kidney were
 observed  In 7/27 and 8/27  rats, respectively.   These  results  were  statisti-
 cally  significant  (p<0.05)  relative to controls.  Although no  lesions were
 found  1n  the adrenals,  pancreas,  spleen,  testes  and  trachea, 1/5  brains
 examined  In  the  655 ppm  exposure  group had  focal cerebral  hemorrhage,  an
 effect  similar  to  that  reported In monkeys at <655 ppm acetonltrlle.
    As  a  preliminary  Inhalation  experiment,  Pozzanl et  al.  (1959a)  exposed
 one or  two  rhesus  monkeys/exposure levels  to  330  ppm (554 mg/m3),  660  ppm
 (1110  mg/m3) and  2510  ppm  (4210  mg/m3)  acetonltrlle for  7  hours/day  for
 up to 99 days.   No air-exposed  controls were maintained.   The  monkey  exposed
 to  2510 ppm died  with severe  pulmonary  effects  after   the  second  day  of
exposure,  and two  monkeys  exposed to  660  ppm died after  23  and  51  days.
0104h                               -5-                              10/24/86

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Brain  hemorrhages,  adverse changes In the lung  (e.g..  atelectasls  and pneu-
monltls)  and cloudy swelling  of  the  renal convoluted  tubules  were reported
In  the monkeys exposed  to acetonltrlle  at 660 ppm for >2  days.   The monkey
exposed  to  330  ppm  survived  until  sacrifice at 99-days,  but had  chronic
pneumonltls  as  evidenced  by   diffuse  proliferation  of  alveolar  septa.
monocytlc  Infiltration and pleural adhesions.   Pozzanl et al.  (1959a)  also
exposed  three  adult  male mixed  breed  dogs  and  three  adult male  rhesus
monkeys  to 350 ppm (588 mg/m3)  acetonUrlle,  7 hours/day, 5  days/week  for
91  days.   Both the  monkeys  and  dogs  had  pulmonary abnormalities.   The  dogs
exhibited  a  transient  depression  In hematocrH and hemoglobin  values  but  no
significant  deviation  In  erythrocyte  counts.   Brain   hemorrhages  were
observed  In  all  three monkeys and cloudy swelling of  the  convoluted kidney
tubules  was  noted  In  two of  the three  exposed  monkeys.   The monkeys  also
exhibited excitability and over-extension reflexes.
    Groups  of  10 male and  10 female Fischer 344 rats and  10 male  and  10
female B6C3F1  mice  were exposed  to  0,  25. 50,  100,  200 or 400 ppm  (0,  42.
84, 168,  336 or 672 mg/m3)  of acetonltrlle vapor 6  hours/day, for  65  days
during a  92-day  experimental  period  (Coate, 1983a,b).   Parameters  evaluated
Included  body  and   organ  weight, clinical   chemistry,  hematology.  Immune
functions  after   10 days  of  exposure  (mice),   sperm  count,  motlllty  and
morphology,  vaginal  cytology,  levels of  serum,  T. or  TSH or  both,  urinary
cyanide levels and  the histology  of the  major organs from the  control group
and the  400  ppm  exposure group,  the I1v<>r from  the 100 and  200 ppm exposure
groups and  the nasal turblnates  from all exposure groups.   The only statis-
tically  significant  effects observed 1r  rats  were decreased mean  leucocyte
counts In  males  exposed to >100  ppm  of acetonltrlle and  females  exposed  to
400 ppm  of acetonltrlle.   Body  weights  were  slightly  Increased during  the


0104h                               -6-                              12/10/86

-------
 study  In Females exposed to >100 ppm and males exposed to 400 ppm, but there
 were   no  statistically  significant  differences  In  terminal  body  weights
 between  test  and control rats.  The biological significance of the decreased
 leucocyte  counts Is  unclear.   Males  exposed to 400  ppm  of acetonltMle had
 slightly Increased heart-to-body  weight  ratios, but  no  cardiac  hlstopatho-
 loglcal  alterations.   Hepatocyte  vacuollzatlon was  observed  In  all  groups
 evaluated  Including  controls, but  the  Intensity  of the  vacuollzatlon  was
 slightly greater In the female rats  exposed  to 400 ppm of acetonUMle.   No
 other  hlstopathologlcal  alterations were  reported.
    The  statistically significant  effects In the mice Included decreased BUN
 levels,  RBC  counts and  hematocrUs  In  females exposed to 200 or  400  ppm of
 acetonltrlle.   Hepatic  vacuollzatlon and hypertrophy were  observed  at  all
 dose  levels  evaluated Including controls,  but the Intensity of  the hepatic
 lesions  appeared greater In male  and female mice exposed to 200  or  400  ppm
 of  acetonltrlle.   Elevated  relative liver weights were observed  In  males at
 400  ppm and  In  females at  100  and 200 ppm.  A  dose-related decrease  In
 leucocyte  count  and serum  IgG levels occurred, but did not appear  to Indi-
 cate  specific T- or  8-lymphocyte  dysfunction,  and  the biological  signifi-
 cance  of these findings  1s  unclear.
    Immuquest  Labs,  Inc.   (1984)   exposed groups of  unspecified   numbers  of
 female B6C3F1 mice  to acetonltrlle at 0,  100,  200  or 400 ppm (0,  168,  336 or
 672 mg/m3)  6  hours/day, 5  days/week  for  90 days.   There were no  effects  on
 physical appearance,  body weights  or  gross appearance at necropsy.  Mice 1n
 the 200  and  400 ppm  groups had atrophy of the thymus, which was  noted  upon
 hlstopathologlcal  examination.  Slight  vacuollzatlon  of  hepatocytes  accom-
 panied by hydropic  degeneration was also  observed at  400  ppm.   There were no
 treatment-related effects on selected clinical chemistries, but mice  at  200
0104h                               -7-                              12/10/86

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and  400  ppm had dose-related decreases  In hematocrUs,  blood hemoglobin con-
centration,  and erythrocyte and  leucocyte counts.   Changes  In hematologlcal
parameters  were not  significant  at  100  ppm.   No significant  effects on organ
weights  were observed,  but the  Investigators noted  a trend  toward depressed
thymus weights  at 200 and 400 ppm.
    After 14 days,  Immuquest Labs,  Inc.  (1984) evaluated  Immune  function  In
mice  exposed by the  same  protocol.   A significant  dose-related depression  of
serum concentration  of  IgG was observed  1n all exposed  mice,  but no effects
were  observed  on  the Cunningham plaque-forming  response  to  sheep erythro-
cytes,  the  lymphocyte blastogenesls  test, delayed  hypersensHlvlty response
or susceptibility to challenge with PYB6 tumor cells.
3.2.   CHRONIC
3.2.1.   Oral.   Pertinent data  regarding the  systemic toxldty  of  aceto-
nltrlle  after chronic oral  exposure could not be located  1n  the available
literature.
3.2.2.   Inhalation.   Pertinent  data  regarding  the  systemic  toxlclty  of
acetonltrlle  after  chronic Inhalation exposure could not  be located  1n  the
available literature.
3.3.   "ERATOGENICITY AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE  EFFECTS
3.3.1.   Oral.   W1llh1te  (1983) studied  the  teratogenlclty  of  acetonltrlle
In groups of 6-12 female  Syrian Golden hamsters.   The  hamsters were exposed
to acetonltrlle In  distilled water  by oral Intubation on  day  8 of gestation
(the  early  primitive streak stage  of embryogenesls) at levels of  100,  200,
300 and  400 mg/kg.   Controls were  treated with distilled  water.   At the 400
mg/kg  dose  level, signs of  maternal  toxlclty were evident  after  2.5  hours.
There  was a statistically significant (p<0.05)  Increase In  the Incidence  of
malformed offspring  at the  300  and  400 mg/kg  doses.   These  malformations


0104h                               -8-                              12/10/86

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 Included exencephaly, encephalocele and rib abnormalities.  In addition, 2/5
 Utters  produced by  dams  treated with  100  mg/kg of acetonltrlle had  single
 pups  with  an  encephalocele; however,  this  was apparently not significantly
 different   from  control   Incidence.    At  200  or  400  mg/kg,  there   was  a
 statistically  significant  (p<0.05)  Increase  In  fetal  resorptlons.   At all
 dose  levels, a  statistically  significant  decrease (p<0.05) In average  fetal
 body  weight was  found.
    In  a range-finding teratogenldty  study by  IRDC  (1980),  groups  of five
 mated Charles  River  COBS  CD rats were  treated  with acetonltrlle  1n distilled
 water by gavage at 0,  200,  375,  750,  1500 or  3000 mg/kg/day on days 6-19 of
 gestation.   Day 0 of  gestation was  defined as the  day  1n which  evidence of
 mating,  a  sperm positive  vaginal smear or the  presence of  a copulatory plug,
 was  observed.    Dams  were  sacrificed  on  gestation  day  20.   Parameters  of
 toxldty evaluated  Included mortality, appearance, behavior and body weights
 of  dams, the numbers and  location of  viable fetuses, early and late resorp-
 tlons,  corpora  lutea  and  total Implantation.   Gross  appearance  at  necropsy
 was  recorded  at sacrifice  and  at  time  of death  for   those  that  did  not
 survive  to  termination.  Treatment-related  mortality  occurred  1n three dams
 receiving  375  mg/kg/day and In all  dams  at >750 mg/kg/day.   Rats  In  these
 groups also had staining  of halrcoats, abnormal   ocular  and  nasal  discharge
 and  marked,  dose-related  mean  body   weight   losses.   No adverse  maternal
 effects  were  observed at  200  mg/kg/day.  Meaningful  pregnancy data  were
 obtained only  for the  200  and 375 mg/kg/day groups  because  of mortality at
 higher doses.   No adverse effects were  observed  at  200  mg/kg/day.   A marked
 Increase  1n early  resorptlons was  observed In  both  dams surviving at  375
mg/kg/day, compared with controls.
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    In  the definitive teratogenlcHy study performed by  IROC  (1981),  groups
of  25 Charles River  COBS  rats  were treated by  gavage  with 0, 125, 190  and
275 mg/kg/day of acetonltHle  1n  water  on days 6-19 of  gestation (day  0  =
day on which  there  was evidence  of  mating).   On day  20 of  gestation,  the
dams  were  sacrificed.   At  the 275  mg/kg/day  dose level,  two dams  died, while
there  was  reduced  body weight gain and emaciation In two others.   Increases
In  the mean number  of  early resorptlons  and postlmplantatlon losses,  and  a
decrease 1n  the  mean number of viable fetuses were also  observed  at the  275
mg/kg/day  treatment  level.   These  effects  were  not statistically  significant
when  compared with  concurrent  controls,  but were significant when  compared
with  historic controls.   At the  125 or  190 mg/kg/day  dose  levels,   these
differences  were not observed.  There  was no  Increased  Incidence of  fetal
anomalies,  but there was  a slight Increase  1n  the  Incidence of  unosslfled
sternebrae  In  all  treated  groups  as  compared  with   concurrent  but  not
historic controls.
    Pregnant  rabbits appear to be more  sensitive  than  rats to the  toxlclty
of  acetonltHle.   Argus  Research Laboratories,  Inc.   (1984) administered
acetonltrlle  In  delonlzed  water  by  gavage  to  groups   of  25 artificially
Inseminated  rabbits   on days  6-18 of  gestation at  0.  2.0,  15.0  or 30.0
mg/kg/day.   Dams were sacrificed on  gestation day 29.  Five maternal  deaths
and two abortions  attributed  to  acetonltrlle  occurred  at 30.0  mg/kg/day.
These  effects were   not  observed  at  lower  doses.   High-dose  dams  had  a
significant  (p<0.01)  decrease In body weight, accompanied by anorexia  during
the treatment  period that  was  followed by  a  rebound phenomenon  during  the
posttreatment period  so that terminal body weights were higher than  controls
on gestation  days  19-24.  Although body  weights  at  15.0 mg/kg/day were  not
significantly  depressed  during   the  treatment  period,   this  group also


0104h                               -10-                             12/10/86

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 exhibited the rebound  phenomenon.   A significant  (p=0.011)  decrease  In the
 average  number  of  live  fetuses/Utter  was  observed  at   30.0  mg/kg/day,
 accompanied  by  a  slight  but  not  significant  Increase  In the  Incidence of
 resorptlons.   There were  no  treatment-related  effects  on the  Incidence of
 pregnancy,  number  of corpora  lutea,  Implantations,  fetal  body  weight  or sex
 ratio.    No  treatment-related  fetal  malformations  were  observed,  but  an
 Increase  1n  the Incidence  of an  extra ossification site   1n  the  parietal
 bones was observed  In  four fetuses  In two high dose Utters  (p=0.015), which
 was  not significant  when expressed  In terms of Incidences among Utters.
 3.3.2.    Inhalation.   W1llh1te (1983) exposed groups  of  6-12 Syrian  golden
 hamsters  to  acetonHMle at 0, 1800, 3800,  5000  or 8000  ppm  (0,  3022,  6380,
 8395  or 13,431 mg/m3)  for 60  minutes on day 8 of  gestation.  Inhalation of
 1800  ppm did  not  Induce  fetal  malformations  or signs  of  toxldty In  the
 dams.   One dam exposed  to  3800 ppm showed dyspnea,  tremors,  hypersaHvatlon,
 ataxla  and hypothermia  after 60 minutes  of  exposure, and  died 3 hours  later.
 The  other five  hamsters  showed  no signs  of Intoxication at  this  exposure
 level  and  their offspring  were  normal.   At  5000  ppm,  all  animals  were
 Irritated  and  salivated excessively.   One  hamster   had dyspnea,  hypothermia
 and  tremors after 60 minutes exposure,  and  died 5 hours  later.   Six  abnormal
 fetuses were  found  In  two Utters  taken  from other hamsters  exposed at this
 level.  Malformations  seen were exencephaly, encephalocele and  Mb  fusions.
 Four  hamsters exposed  for  60 minutes  to  8000  ppm  (13.431 mg/m3)  showed
 signs  of  acute  toxlclty  and  three died  1.5  hours after  termination  of
 exposure.  H1stopatholog1cal studies  failed to reveal any changes 1n  liver,
 kidney and lungs.  Offspring  of  these dams were  afflicted with  severe  axial
 skeletal  disorders   In  five  of the nine surviving  Utters.   Average  fetal
body  weights  were   also   decreased  when compared   with  litters  from  dams


0104h                               -11-                             10/24/86

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exposed  only to chamber air.  One  fetus  showed  extrathoraclc  ectopla  cordls
with  accompanying defects In  the  sternum (a rare syndrome).  A  significant
Increase  was  seen  In  the  number  of  abnormal   fetuses  at  the  5000  (8395
mg/m3)   or   8000   (13,431  mg/m3)   ppm  level  when   compared  with   control
animals  exposed  to  chamber   air.   In  addition,  there  was  a   significant
Increase  In  the   number  of   malformed  offspring at  5000  ppm (8395  mg/m3)
when  compared  with  the  lower level  of  exposure [3800  ppm  (6379  mg/m3)],
which  was  also true when  8000  (13,431  mg/m3)   and  5000  (8395  mg/m3)  ppm
levels were compared.
    No adverse  effects  were  observed In sperm motllUy and  morphology  or  In
vaginal  cytology  of F344 rats or  B6C3F1  mice  exposed to <400 ppm of  aceto-
nltrlle, 6  hours/day, 5 days/week  for  13  weeks (Coate,  1983a,b)  (see Section
3.1.2.).
3.4.   TOXICANT INTERACTIONS
    In a study  designed to assess  toxicant  Interactions based  on  the assump-
tion  of  dose addltlvUy,  Pozzanl  et al.  (1959b)  determined the oral  LD5Qs
and  Inhalation  LC5Qs  of binary   mixtures  of  acetonUrlle  with   acetone,
carbon tetrachlorlde,  toluene, propylene oxide or eplchlorohydrln.   Greater
than  additive  potency was noted  with mixtures  of  acetonltrlle  and  acetone
for both oral  (3.6 times  greater)  and Inhalation (2.7  times greater)  toxlc-
Ity.  In a  similar  study, Smyth et  al.  (1969)  reported  greater than  additive
potency for mixtures of acetonltrlle with either acetone  (3.6  times  greater)
or dloxane (3.2 times greater) based on determinations of  oral  LD^s.
    Carbon  tetrachlorlde  pretreatment  may reduce the  acute toxic potency  of
acetonltrlle.   After  carbon  tetrachlorlde pretreatment.   mice  that  were
subsequently  exposed to  5000 ppm  (8395 mg/m3)   acetonltrlle  by Inhalation
for 1 hour  or  575 mg/kg by the Intraperltoneal  route showed sharply  reduced


0104H                               -12-                             10/24/86

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 fatalities  (UlllhUe,   1981;  Ulllhlte  and  Smith,  1981).   Without  carbon
 tetrachlorlde pretreatment, deaths From Inhalation exposure were 10/10; with
 pretreatment. deaths were  reduced  to 2/10.  With  the  Injection dose,  after
 pretreatment, deaths were  0/10; without  carbon  tetrachlorlde pretreatment,
 deaths  were  7/10.   Sodium  thlosulfate  was  also  protective,  and  sodium
 nitrite  was  less  protective  (M111h1te,  1981).   Tan 11 and  Hashimoto  (1984)
 found  that an oral dose of 9.96 nmol/kg bw of acetonUrlle  (1n water)  killed
 8/10  mice  pretreated  with olive  oil, whereas  0/10  mice  pretreated  with
 carbon  tetrachlorlde  died.   Arbuzov   (1975)  reported  that  acetonltrlle-
 Induced  lung edema  was  prevented  by  compounds   that  blocked  N-chollno-
 receptors  or  by glucocortlcolds or  SH group donors,  but  sodium nitrite and
 sodium thlosulfate did  not  prevent edema.
    Tan 11  and Hashimoto (1986)  reported that ethanol treatment  enhanced the
 acute toxldty of  acetonltrlle U» vivo when administered orally to mice.
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                              4.  CARCINOGENICITY
4.1.   HUNAN DATA
4.1.1.   Oral.   Pertinent  data  regarding  the  cardnogenldty  of  aceto-
nltrlle  In  humans  after oral exposure could not  be  located  1n the available
literature.
4.1.2.   Inhalation.    Pertinent   data   regarding  the  cardnogenldty   of
acetonltrlle In  humans  after  Inhalation  exposure  could  not be  located  In  the
available literature.
4.2.   8IOASSAYS
4.2.1.   Oral.   Pertinent  data regarding  the carclnogenlclty  of  Ingested
acetonltrlle could not be located In the available literature.
4.2.2.   Inhalation.    A   preliminary   subchronlc   Inhalation   study   for
acetonltrlle 1s  In progress using rats and mice (NTP, 1986).
4.3.   OTHER RELEVANT DATA
    Florin  et  al.  (1980) tested  acetonltrlle  on  four strains of  Salmonella
typhlmurlum and  noted  no mutagenlc activity.   U.S.  EPA  (1982) reported that
the National Toxicology Program 1s conducting additional mutagenlclty tests
on acetonltrlle.  Published reports of these studies could not be  located 1n
the literature.
    Brown and  Donelly  (1984)  reported mutagenlc activity  In acidic,  basic
and neutral extracts  from a  waste  stream  of a petrochemical  plant  where
acetonltrlle was being  purified.   The waste  stream contained 3.46%  aceto-
nltrlle, 0.92% acetamide,  0.09% "R-OH"  and 0.5X "heavy  ends.*  The  chemical
composition of the latter two fractions were not  Identified.
    Acetonltrlle has been found to be  unacceptable  as  a solvent for  use  In
mutagenlclty assays  (Arlmoto  et al.,  1982; Kawalek  and  Andrews, 1980;  Maron
et al., 1981).


0104H                               -14-                             12/10/86

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 4.4.    WEIGHT OF  EVIDENCE
    According to U.S.  EPA (1986) guidelines, acetonltHle  should  be placed
 In Group  0,  which  Indicates  that  there are Insufficient data  to  allow any
 conclusion regarding  the  carclnogenlclty  of  acetonltrlle.   IARC  has  not
 classified acetonltrlle,  but an  IARC classification of  3,  cannot  be classi-
 fied,  seems most  appropriate.
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                     5.   REGULATORY STANDARDS  AND  CRITERIA

    NIOSH  (1978)  recommended  a  TWA-TLV of  20  ppm  (34 mg/ma)  for  aceto-
nltrtle, while  OSHA (1985) listed an acceptable  occupational  exposure level
of 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) for acetonltrlle.
    The  ACGIH  (1985,  1986) has  recommended a  TLV  of  40  ppm (70  mg/m3},
with  a  STEL  of  60  ppm  (105  mg/m3)  for  acetonltrlle to  protect  against
organic  cyanide  poisoning  and  Injury to the  respiratory system based on  the
human  studies  of Pozzanl  et  al.  (1959b) and by analogy  to the more toxic
chemical, acrylonltrlle.   Acetonltrlle  Is  designated by  the skin  notation
Indicating the potential contribution of dermal  absorption.
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                              6.  RISK ASSESSMENT
 6.1.    SUBCHRONIC  REFERENCE  DOSE  (RfO$)
 6.1.1.    Oral   (RfDgg).   Data   regarding   subchronlc   oral  toxlclty   of
 acetonltrlle  could not  be  located In the  available  literature.   In Section
 6.2.1.,  an  RfDQ  of  6.5xlO~3 mg/kg/day  or  0.45  mg/day for  a 70  kg  human
 was  derived by applying an uncertainty factor of 1000 and a modifying factor
 of  3  to a NOAEL of 19.3 mg/kg/day  resulting  from  Inhalation exposure of mice
 to  100  ppm (168 mg/m3),  6 hours/day,  5 days/week (Coate, 1983b).
    An   RfDSQ   of   6.5xlO~2  mg/kg/day   (4.6  mg/day)   can   be  derived  by
 dividing  the  NOAEL  of  19.3 mg/kg/day  by a  modifying  factor of  3 and  an
 uncertainty factor of  100 rather  than 1000.
 6.1.2.    Inhalation    (RfDSI).    Subchronlc   Inhalation  experiments   with
 acetonltrlle  Include  a 90-day experiment  In  rats,  dogs  and  monkeys (Pozzanl
 et  a!., 1959a), a  92-day study  using  rats (Coate, 1983a)  and mice (Coate,
 1983b)  and a  90-day study using  mice (Immuquest  Labs,  Inc., 1984).  Pozzanl
 et  al.  (1959a) determined NOAELs  using rats  at  166 and  330  ppm (279 and 554
 mg/m3)  7  hours/day,   5 days/week.   At  330   ppm  for 7 hours/day,  monkeys
 developed  lesions   of   chronic  pneumonltls and  at 350  ppm  (588  mg/m3),  7
 hours/day  for  91  days,  dogs developed pulmonary  Irregularities  and monkeys
 developed  brain hemorrhages  and  lung and  kidney  lesions.  The Investigators
 concluded  that  monkeys  were  more  sensitive than  rats  to  the  toxic effects  of
 acetonltrlle.   Coate  (1983a)  observed elevated relative  heart  weight In  male
 rats and  Increased  Intensity  of hepatocellular hypertrophy 1n  female rats  at
 400  ppm (672  mg/ma),  6 hours/day  on 65/92  days.  No  adverse effects  were
 observed at  200 ppm (336 mg/m3).  In mice, however,  200 ppm  was  associated
with decreased erythrocyte counts  and  hematocMts In females  and  Increased
 Intensity  of  hepatocytlc vacuollzatlon and hypertrophy  (Coate,  1983b).   No


0104h                               -17-                             06/08/87

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 adverse effects  In mice  were  noted  at  100  ppm  (168  mg/m»).   The 90-day
 Inhalation  study by Immuquest  Labs,  Inc. (1984) confirms that  100  ppm Is a
 NOAEL  In mice.
     Mice  appear  to be  more  sensitive  than  rats  to  the  effects of aceto-
 nltHle.   Although  monkeys and  dogs  may be more  sensitive  than mice, these
 species  were only  examined 1n  preliminary  evaluations  utilizing few animals
 at  a  single  exposure  level.   In addition,  rabbits  were shown to   be  more
 sensitive  than  rodents  In teratology  evaluations.   Considering all  of  the
 evidence,  the most  appropriate  basis  for an  RfDSI 1s the mouse NOAEL of 39
 mg/kg/day  (Coate,  1983b).   The  mg/kg/day  dose was  calculated  as  follows:
 168  mg/m3  x  0.039  ma/24  hours  (mouse  ventllatory  volume,  U.S.  EPA,  1980)
 x 6  hours/24  hours  x 5 days/7 days * 0.03 kg.
     In  developing an  RfDSI,  a modifying factor of  3 Is applied  to account
 for  the data  that  suggests  that the  mouse  may not  be the most  sensitive
 species. In  addition,  an uncertainty  factor of  100 1s applied to account  for
 Interspecles  and Interlndlvldual variability resulting  In  an RfOCT  of  0.13
                                                                  *>1
mg/kg/ day or 9.1 mg/day for a 70 kg human.
6.2.   REFERNCE  DOSE (RfD)
6.2.1.   Oral  (RfDQ).    ho  oral  data  appropriate   for  RfD  estimation were
located.   In the  absence  of  oral data,  Inhalation data may   be utilized.
This was  the approach taken  In U.S.  EPA (1985a);  however, U.S.  EPA (1985a)
did  not have  access  to  the  studies   of Coate   (1983a,b) nor  that  of  Argus
Research Laboratories,  Iric. (1984).   These data Indicate  that   rats   are  not
only  apparently less  sensitive to acetonltrlle  than monkeys  or dogs,  but
also  appear   to  be less  sensitive   than  mice  or  rabbits.   The available
Inhalation studies  are  reviewed  1n  Section  6.1.2.   As described   1n  that
section, the  mouse  Inhalation  NOAEL  of 39 mg/kg/day  1s  chosen as  the most
appropriate basis to  estimate an RfDQ.   An  absorption efficiency of  SOX 1s

0104h                               -18-                             06/08/87

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 utilized to estimate an  oral  NOAEL  resulting 1n an equivalent oral estimate
 of  19.5 mg/kg/day.  Applying a modifying factor of 3 to account  for concerns
 that  adequate  toxlclty evaluations have not been conducted In what appear to
 be  the  most  sensitive  species,  and  an  uncertainty factor  of  1000  (10 to
 estimate an RfDQ  from  subchronlc data, 10  for  Interspecles  variability and
 10  for  Intraspecles  variability) results  In an  RfDQ  estimate  of 6.5xlO~3
 mg/kg/day  or 0.46  mg/day for  a  70 kg  human.
    The only oral  experiments that provided data suitable for calculation of
 CSs were the  developmental toxlclty studies using hamsters (Wlllhlte, 1983),
 rats  (IROC, 1981)  and  rabbits  (Argus Laboratories, Inc.,  1984).   Wlllhlte
 (1983)  noted  a  significant  Increase  In malformations  1n hamsters  given  a
 single  oral dose  of  200 mg/kg on day 8 of gestation  and IRDC (1981) noted
 maternotoxlc and  fetotoxlc effects 1n rats  treated orally with 275 mg/kg/day
 during  organogenesls.   CSs for  these effects are calculated and presented In
 Table  6-1.  These CSs  differ  somewhat  from those  calculated by U.S.  EPA
 (1985a)  primarily  because  of  differences   In  reference  body  weights  for
 hamsters;  however, the  study  of W1lh1te (1983) still yields the highest CS.
 6.2.2.   Inhalation   (RfD.).   Chronic  Inhalation  toxlclty  data  were  not
 available   for   acetonltrlle.    The   most   appropriate   RfDj   Is   derived,
 therefore,  by  applying  an uncertainty  factor  of  10  to  the RfDg.  of  0.13
 mg/kg/day  (9.1  mg/day)  based  on  the NOAEL  of  39  mg  estimated  for  mice
 exposed  to 100 ppm  (168  mg/m3)  In  the  subchronlc  study by  Coate (1983b).
 The  resulting  RfD,   1s  1.3xlO~* mg/kg/day or  0.91  mg/day  for  a  70  kg
 human.
    The  effects of subchronlc Inhalation  exposure  of  rats, dogs,  monkeys and
mice (Pozzanl  et al.,  1959a;  Coate,  1983a,b), as  well as  the teratogenlc and
 fetotoxlc  effects  In  hamsters   of  Inhaling acetonltrlle during  gestation
0104h                               -19-                             06/08/87

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(Wlllhlte, 1983;}, are  suitable  for  calculation of  Inhalation CSs.   The data
used  to  calculate MEOs and  CSs  are  presented In Table 6-1.   The  values  for
the MEDs  differ somewhat from  those reported by U.S.  EPA  (1985a)  primarily
because  the  default  values  currently  recommended  by  the  U.S. EPA  (1985b)
differ  from  the  values used  In the preparation  of the previous  document;
however, the highest  CS is still associated  with an oral,, not an Inhalation,
study.
6.3.   CARCINOGENIC POTENCY (q.,*)
    Data are not  sufficient  for estimation of  the  carcinogenic  potential  of
acetonltHle after oral or Inhalation exposure.
0104H                               -20-                             01/12/87

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                                              -21-
                                                                                                        01/12/87

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                                7.  REFERENCES

ACGIH  (American Conference  of Governmental  Industrial Hyg1en1sts).   1985.
Threshold  Limit Values  for  Chemical  Substances and  Physical  Agents  In  the
Workroom Environment with Intended Changes for 1986.  Cincinnati, OH.   p.  9.

ACGIH  (American Conference  of Governmental  Industrial Hyglenlsts).   1986.
Documentation  of  the  Threshold   Limit   Values,  5th  ed.   Cincinnati,  OH.
p. 8-9.

Ahmed, A.E. and M.Y.H.  Farooqul.   1982.   Comparative  toxlcltles  of  aliphatic
nltrlles.  Toxlcol. Lett.  12(2-3): 157-163.

Arbuzov,  E.E.   1975.   Pathogenesls  of  toxic  lung edema  In  rats caused  by
acetonltrlle.   Farmakol.  Tokslkol.  Nov.  Prod.  Khlm.  S1nt.,  Hater.  Resp.
Konf., 3rd Meeting Date 1974.  p.  155-156.  (CA 86:134455m)

Argus  Research  Laboratories, Inc.  1984.   Embryofetal  toxlclty  and  terato-
genlclty  study  of  acetonltrlle  In  New  Zealand  white rabbits   (Segment  II
evaluation).  Office of  Toxic Substances  submission.   Microfiche  No.  OTS
507279.

Arlmoto,  S.,  N.  Nakano,  Y. Ohara.  K.  Tanaka and  H. Hayatsu.   1982.  A
solvent effect  on  the mutagenlclty of tryptophan-pyrolyzate mutagens  In  the
Salmonella/mammalian mlcrosome assay.   Mutat.  Res.   102(20):  105-112.
0104h                               -22-                             01/12/87

-------
 Brown,  K.W.  and K.C.  Donnelly.   1984.   Hutagenlc activity  of  the  liquid
 waste  from the production of  acetonHrlle.   Bull.  Environ.  Contain.  Toxlcol.
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 Coate,  H.B.   1983a.   90-Day  subchronlc  toxlclty  study of acetonHrlle  In
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 Coate,  W.8.   1983b.   90-Day  subchronlc  toxlclty  study of acetonUMle  In
 B6C3F1  mice.   Final   Report   (revised).   Submitted to  National  Toxicology
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 Dalhamn,  T.,  N.L.  Edfors  and R.  Rylander.   1968a.    Mouth  adsorption  of
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 Dalhamn, T.,  M.L.  Edfors  and  R.  Rylander.   1968b.  Retention  of  cigarette
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 Florin,  I., L.  Futberg,  M. Curvall  and C.R.  Enzell.   1980.    Screening  of
 tobacco  smoke  constituents   for   mutagenlclty   using  the    Ames1   test.
 Toxicology.  15(3): 219-232.

 Immuquest Labs, Inc.  1984.  Limited  toxlclty of  Inhaled acetonHrlle on the
 Immune system of mice.  OTS FYI submission.   Microfiche  No.  FYI-AX-0284-0292.
0104H                               -23-                             01/12/87

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IROC  (International  Research  and  Development  Corporation).   I960.   Pilot
teratology study In rats.  OTS 8(d) submission.  Microfiche No.  OTS 206221.

IROC  (International  Research  and  Development  Corporation).   1981.   Aceto-
nltrlle  (IR-79-162).  Teratology  study  In  rats.   Unpublished  study sponsored
by Monsanto Company.

Kawalek,  J.C. and  A.M.  Andrews.  1980.   The  effect  of  solvents  on  drug
metabolism In vitro.  Drug Metab.  Olspos.  .8(6):  380-384.

Maron,  0..  J.   Katzenellenbogen   and   N.  Bruce.   1981.    Compatibility of
organic  solvents  with  the  Salmonella/mlcrosome   test.  Mutat.  Res.   88(4):
343-350.

NIOSH  (National   Institute  for  Occupational  Safety  and Health).    1978.
Criteria  for a  Recommended  Standard...Occupational  Exposure  to  NUrlles.
U.S. OHEW, PHS,  CDC, Cincinnati. OH.  Publ. No. 78-212.

NTP  (National Toxicology Program).  1986.  Management Status Report.   June,
1986.

OSHA  (Occupational  Safety  and Health  Administration).   1985.   Permissible
Exposure Limits.   Code of Federal  Regulations.  29 CFR 1910.1000.

Pozzanl,  U.C.,  C.P.  Carpenter,   P.E.  Palm,   C.S.  Hell  and O.K.  Nolr,  III.
1959a.   An  Investigation  of  the  mammalian  t^xlclty of  acetonltrlle.  J.
Occup. Med.  1:  634-642.


0104h                               -24-                             01/12/87

-------
 Pozzanl,   U.C.,  C.S.  Well and  /P./Carpenter.   1959b.   The toxlcologlcal
 basis of  threshold limit  values:  5. The  experimental  Inhalation  of  vapor
 mixtures   by  rats  with  notes  upon  the  relationship  between   single  dose
 Inhalation and  single  dose and data.   Ind. Hyg. J.  p. 364.

 Silver,  E.H., S.H.  Kuttab,  T. Hasan and M.  Hassan.   1982.  Structural con-
 siderations  In  the  metabolism of  nltrlles  to cyanide |£  vivo.   Drug Metab.
 Olspos.   10(5): 495-498.

 Smyth,  H.F.,  Jr.,  C.S. Hell,  J.S. West  and  C.P.  Carpenter.  1969.  Explora-
 tion  of joint  toxic action:  Twenty-seven Industrial  chemicals  Intubated  In
 rats  1n all possible pairs.  Toxlcol. Appl. Pharmacol.  14(2): 340-347.

 Tan11,  H.  and   K.  Hashimoto.   1984.   Studies  on  the mechanism of  acute
 toxldty of nltrlles In mice.  Arch. Toxlcol.  55(1): 47-54.

 Tanll,  H.  and K.  Hashimoto.   1986.   Influence of  ethanol  on  the  In vivo and
 1n vitro metabolism  of nltrlles  In mice.  Arch. Toxlcol.   58(3):  171-176.

 U.S.  EPA.   1980.   Guidelines  and  Methodology for  the Preparation  of  Health
 Effect Assessment Chapters of  the Ambient Water Quality Criteria  Documents.
 Federal Register.  45(231): 49347-49357.

 U.S.  EPA.    1982.   AcetonltMle;  Response  to  the   Interagency  Testing
 Committee.  Federal Register.   47:  58020-58023.
0104h                               -25-                             06/08/87

-------
 U.S.  EPA.   1983a.  Reportable  Q\ajt1ty  Document  for Acetonltrlle.  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.   Methodology  and Guidelines for Reportable Quantity Deter-
 minations  Based  on  Chronic Tox1c1ty Data.  Prepared  by  the Office of Health
 and  Environmental  Assessment,  Environmental  Criteria  and Assessment Office,
 Cincinnati,  OH  for  the  Office  of  Solid  Waste  and   Emergency  Response,
 Washington, DC.

 U.S.  EPA.    1985a.    Health  and  Environmental  Effects   Profile  for  Aceto-
 nltrlle.   Prepared  by  the Office  of Health and  Environmental  Assessment,
 Environmental  Criteria  and Assessment Office, Cincinnati,  OH  for  the Office
 of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Washington, DC.

 U.S.  EPA.   1985b.  Reference Values  for Risk  Assessment.   Prepared  by  the
 Office  of  Health and Environmental  Assessment,  Environmental  Criteria  and
 Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH  for the Office  of Solid Waste, Washington,
 DC.

 U.S.  EPA.    1986.   Guidelines   for  Carcinogen  Risk  Assessment.   Federal
 Register.  51(185):  33992-34003.

W11lh1te,  C.C.   1981.  Inhalation toxicology of acute exposure  to aliphatic
n1tr1les.  CUn.  Toxlcol.  18(8): 991-1003.
0104h                               -26-                             06/08/87

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WlllhHe. C.C.  1983.  Development toxicology of acetonltrlle  In  the Syrian
golden hamster.  Teratology.  27(30: 313-325.

HlllhUe. C.C. and R.P.  Smith.   1981.  The role  of cyanide liberation In the
acute  toxlclty  of aliphatic  nltrlles.   Toxlcol.  Appl.  Pharmacol.   59(3):
5W-W2,

-------
oo
en
00
en

-------
 M1llh1te,  C.C.   1983.  Development toxicology of  acetonVtrlle  In  the Syrian
 golden  hamster.  Teratology.  27(30: 313-325.

 WHlhUe,  C.C.  and R.P.  Smith.   1981.   The role of cyanide liberation In the
 acute  toxlclty  of aliphatic  nltrlles.  Toxlcol.  Appl.  Pharmacol.   59(3):
 589-602.
                      TT,5- Environmental Pro-bentlon  Apericy
0104h    ,                           -27-                             06/08/87

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