United States
Environmental Protection
1=1 m m Agency
EPA/690/R-07/035F
Final
7-27-2007
Provisional Peer Reviewed Toxicity Values for
2, 4, 5-Trichlorophenol
(CASRN 95-95-4)
Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center
National Center for Environmental Assessment
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268

-------
Acronyms and Abbreviations
bw	body weight
cc	cubic centimeters
CD	Caesarean Delivered
CERCLA	Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980
CNS	central nervous system
cu.m	cubic meter
DWEL	Drinking Water Equivalent Level
FEL	frank-effect level
FIFRA	Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
g	grams
GI	gastrointestinal
HEC	human equivalent concentration
Hgb	hemoglobin
i.m.	intramuscular
i.p.	intraperitoneal
IRIS	Integrated Risk Information System
IUR	inhalation unit risk
i.v.	intravenous
kg	kilogram
L	liter
LEL	lowest-effect level
LOAEL	lowest-observed-adverse-effect level
LOAEL(ADJ)	LOAEL adjusted to continuous exposure duration
LOAEL(HEC)	LOAEL adjusted for dosimetric differences across species to a human
m	meter
MCL	maximum contaminant level
MCLG	maximum contaminant level goal
MF	modifying factor
mg	milligram
mg/kg	milligrams per kilogram
mg/L	milligrams per liter
MRL	minimal risk level
MTD	maximum tolerated dose
MTL	median threshold limit
NAAQS	National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NOAEL	no-ob served-adverse-effect level
NOAEL(ADJ)	NOAEL adjusted to continuous exposure duration
NOAEL(HEC)	NOAEL adjusted for dosimetric differences across species to a human
NOEL	no-ob served-effect level
OSF	oral slope factor
p-IUR	provisional inhalation unit risk
p-OSF	provisional oral slope factor
1

-------
p-RfC
provisional inhalation reference concentration
p-RfD
provisional oral reference dose
PBPK
physiologically based pharmacokinetic
ppb
parts per billion
ppm
parts per million
PPRTV
Provisional Peer Reviewed Toxicity Value
RBC
red blood cell(s)
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RDDR
Regional deposited dose ratio (for the indicated lung region)
REL
relative exposure level
RfC
inhalation reference concentration
RfD
oral reference dose
RGDR
Regional gas dose ratio (for the indicated lung region)
s.c.
subcutaneous
SCE
sister chromatid exchange
SDWA
Safe Drinking Water Act
sq.cm.
square centimeters
TSCA
Toxic Substances Control Act
UF
uncertainty factor
l^g
microgram
[j,mol
micromoles
voc
volatile organic compound
11

-------
7-27-2007
PROVISIONAL PEER REVIEWED TOXICITY VALUES FOR
2,4,5-TRICHLOROPHENOL (CASRN 95-94-4)
Background
On December 5, 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of
Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) revised its hierarchy of human
health toxicity values for Superfund risk assessments, establishing the following three tiers as the
new hierarchy:
1.	EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
2.	Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTV) used in EPA's Superfund
Program.
3.	Other (peer-reviewed) toxicity values, including:
~	Minimal Risk Levels produced by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR),
~	California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) values, and
~	EPA Health Effects Assessment Summary Table (HEAST) values.
A PPRTV is defined as a toxicity value derived for use in the Superfund Program when
such a value is not available in EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). PPRTVs are
developed according to a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and are derived after a review of
the relevant scientific literature using the same methods, sources of data, and Agency guidance
for value derivation generally used by the EPA IRIS Program. All provisional toxicity values
receive internal review by two EPA scientists and external peer review by three independently
selected scientific experts. PPRTVs differ from IRIS values in that PPRTVs do not receive the
multi-program consensus review provided for IRIS values. This is because IRIS values are
generally intended to be used in all EPA programs, while PPRTVs are developed specifically for
the Superfund Program.
Because new information becomes available and scientific methods improve over time,
PPRTVs are reviewed on a five-year basis and updated into the active database. Once an IRIS
value for a specific chemical becomes available for Agency review, the analogous PPRTV for
that same chemical is retired. It should also be noted that some PPRTV manuscripts conclude
that a PPRTV cannot be derived based on inadequate data.
Disclaimers
Users of this document should first check to see if any IRIS values exist for the chemical
of concern before proceeding to use a PPRTV. If no IRIS value is available, staff in the regional
Superfund and RCRA program offices are advised to carefully review the information provided
in this document to ensure that the PPRTVs used are appropriate for the types of exposures and
1

-------
7-27-2007
circumstances at the Superfund site or RCRA facility in question. PPRTVs are periodically
updated; therefore, users should ensure that the values contained in the PPRTV are current at the
time of use.
It is important to remember that a provisional value alone tells very little about the
adverse effects of a chemical or the quality of evidence on which the value is based. Therefore,
users are strongly encouraged to read the entire PPRTV manuscript and understand the strengths
and limitations of the derived provisional values. PPRTVs are developed by the EPA Office of
Research and Development's National Center for Environmental Assessment, Superfund Health
Risk Technical Support Center for OSRTI. Other EPA programs or external parties who may
choose of their own initiative to use these PPRTVs are advised that Superfund resources will not
generally be used to respond to challenges of PPRTVs used in a context outside of the Superfund
Program.
Questions Regarding PPRTVs
Questions regarding the contents of the PPRTVs and their appropriate use (e.g., on
chemicals not covered, or whether chemicals have pending IRIS toxicity values) may be directed
to the EPA Office of Research and Development's National Center for Environmental
Assessment, Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center (513-569-7300), or OSRTI.
INTRODUCTION
A chronic oral reference dose (RfD) for 2,4,5-trichlorphenol is available in the Integrated
Risk Information System (IRIS) database (U.S. EPA, 1987a; accessed 2007). The source
document for the assessment was a Health Effects Assessment (HEA) for the chemical (U.S.
EPA, 1984). The chronic oral RfD of 0.1 mg/kg-day in IRIS was derived from a no observed
effect level (NOEL) of 100 mg/kg-day (1000 ppm in the diet, food consumption was assumed to
be 10% of body weight), based on liver and kidney pathology observed in a 98-day dietary study
(McCollister et al., 1961). A composite uncertainty factor (UF) of 1000 was applied to account
for interspecies and interindividual differences and the use of a subchronic study to derive the
chronic oral RfD. The Health Effects Assessment Summary Table (HEAST) references the
chronic oral RfD for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol listed on IRIS and provides a subchronic RfD of 1
mg/kg-day, based on liver and kidney effects in the 98-day dietary study (U.S. EPA, 1997). The
source documents referenced in the HEAST include the 98-day dietary study in rats (McCollister
et al., 1961), the HEA for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (U.S. EPA, 1984), and a Health and
Environmental Effects Document (HEED) for Chlorinated Phenols (U.S. EPA, 1987b). In
addition to the HEA (U.S. EPA, 1984) and the HEED (U.S. EPA, 1987b), IRIS (U.S. EPA,
1987a) identifies a Drinking Water Criteria Document (DWCD) for Chlorinated Phenols
(U.S.EPA, 1986) that did not evaluate 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and an Ambient Water Quality
Criteria Document (AWQCD) for Chlorinated Phenols (U.S. EPA, 1980) that derived an AWQC
from the NOEL of 100 mg/kg-day for liver and kidney pathology observed in the 98-day dietary
study (McCollister et al., 1961). The Chemical Assessments and Related Activities (CARA) list
(U.S. EPA, 1991, 1994) does not identify additional reports that may contain toxicological
2

-------
7-27-2007
information on 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories are not
available for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (U.S. EPA, 2006).
No inhalation reference concentration (RfC) value is available for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol
on IRIS or in the HEAST (U.S. EPA 1987a,b). An Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) Toxicological Profile is available for chlorinated phenols (ATSDR, 1999),
but Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) were not derived for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Occupational
exposure standards and guidelines for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol are not available from the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA).
A cancer assessment for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol is not available on IRIS (U.S. EPA, 1987a)
or in the HEAST (U.S. EPA, 1997). A U.S. EPA (1988a) Carcinogenicity Assessment
concluded that this compound could not be assessed as a potential human carcinogen and
classified it as weight-of-evidence Group D, due to inadequate evidence from both animal and
human studies (U.S. EPA, 1988a). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
indicated that 2,4,5-trichlorophenol has not been adequately tested for carcinogenicity (IARC,
1979). The World Health Organization (WHO) Environmental Health Criteria document on
Chlorophenols other than Pentachlorophenol (WHO, 1989) indicated that there was limited
evidence of carcinogenicity from occupational exposure to chlorophenols; however the potential
carcinogenicity of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol was not specifically evaluated. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol is
not included in the NTP (2005) 11th Report on Carcinogens.
Literature searches were performed for the time period of 1965 to August, 2006 in
TOXLINE, MEDLINE (plus PubMed cancer subset) and DART/ETICBACK. An updated
search of the TOXCENTER (BIOSIS) database was performed for the time period of January
2000 to August, 2006. Databases searched without date limitations included TSCATS, RTECS,
GENETOX, HSDB and CCRIS. Search of Current Contents encompassed February 2006 to
August 2006.
REVIEW OF PERTINENT DATA
Human Studies
Oral Exposure. No data were located regarding the oral toxicity or carcinogenicity of
2,4,5-trichlorophenol in humans.
Inhalation Exposure. No information is available regarding the potential effects of
inhalation exposure to 2,4,5-trichlorophenol as a single agent in humans. Several epidemiology
studies were conducted of workers exposed to chlorinated phenols, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic
acid and chlorinated dioxins in combination (reviewed in ATSDR, 1999; WHO, 1989). 2,3,7,8-
Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) is a common contaminant generated during the production of
phenoxy herbicides from 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Effects that were attributable to TCDD exposure
were seen in exposed workers (e.g., chloracne) (Bleiberg et al., 1964). The literature search did
3

-------
7-27-2007
not identify any studies regarding carcinogenicity of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol as a single agent in
humans. Mortality studies conducted on occupational workers involved in the manufacture of
2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid using 2,4,5-trichlorophenol as a feedstock did not show
increased mortality from any cause, as compared to unexposed controls (Ott et al., 1987, 1980).
Several case control and cohort studies have evaluated cancer risks in pesticide production
workers exposed to chlorinated phenols, phenoxy herbicides, and chlorinated dibenzodioxins and
furans (reviewed in ATSDR, 1999; WHO, 1989). Because workers were exposed to several
chemicals simultaneously, the studies do not provide information about a possible association
between 2,4,5-trichlorphenol and cancer.
Animal Studies
Oral Exposure. No chronic oral studies were available for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol in
animals.
McCollister et al., 1961
A subchronic dietary study was performed in male and female Wistar rats (10/sex/group).
Rats were given diets containing 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 or 1% 2,4,5-trichlorphenol for 98 days.
Daily dose estimates for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol were calculated to be 0, 10, 30, 100, 300 and 1000
mg/kg-day for male and female rats, assuming a body weight of 0.186 kg and a food
consumption rate of 0.018 kg/day (average for male and female Wistar rats from a subchronic
study, U.S. EPA, 1988b). Animals were weighed twice a week for the first month and once a
week for the remainder of the study. Food consumption was recorded for the first month
(frequency not specified) and rats were examined for clinical signs of toxicity (frequency not
specified). Blood samples were obtained at study termination for hematology analysis in a
subset of female rats (5/group) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in a subset of male rats (3/group).
Animals were sacrificed and lungs, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, testes and brain were removed
and weighed. Histopathology evaluation was performed for these organs, as well as for the
pancreas and adrenal glands (organ weights were not measured for pancreas and adrenals).
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol administration in the diet did not produce clinical signs of toxicity
or induce mortality at any dose level. No effect was observed on food consumption, hematology
or BUN analyses, organ to body weight ratios or gross examination of tissues. Body weight gain
was reduced by 24% in high-dose female rats (1000 mg/kg-day) and the mean terminal body
weight for this group was 9% lower than control female rats. No other changes in body weight
were observed in this study. Male and female rats from the two highest dose groups (300 and
1000 mg/kg-day) experienced a diurial effect, observed as a wetness of the abdominal area
throughout the study. Histopathological lesions were also observed in the liver and kidney of
rats given 300 or 1000 mg/kg-day. In high-dose rats, the kidney lesions were described as
moderate degenerative changes in the epithelial lining of the convoluted tubules and early
proliferation of interstitial tissue. Mild degenerative changes were observed in the centrilobular
portion of the liver, consisting of cloudy swelling and areas of focal necrosis. Slight
proliferation of the bile duct and early portal cirrhosis were also observed. Kidney and liver
alterations in the 300 mg/kg-day dose group were described as similar to, but milder than, the
effects seen in rats from the 1000 mg/kg-day dose group. Incidence data were not provided in
4

-------
7-27-2007
this study. The NOAEL and LOAEL values for this study were 100 and 300 mg/kg-day,
respectively, based on liver and kidney lesions and diuresis observed in male and female rats.
McCollister et al. (1961) also evaluated the acute oral toxicity, skin irritation and
sensitization, and short-term (24-28 day) oral toxicity of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol in rats and rabbits.
The acute oral toxicity of 2,4,5-trichorophenol was assessed in male rats (5/dose, strain not
specified) after administration of a single oral gavage dose (20% solution in corn oil) at dose
levels of 0, 1, 1.26, 1.58, 2, 2.52, 3.16 or 3.98 g/kg. The acute oral LD50 was calculated to be
2.96 g/kg. Skin irritation tests in rabbits showed that high concentrations of 2,4,5-trichlorphenol
in solution produced a mild erythema (no further details were provided). Dry 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol was not shown to be irritating to rabbit skin. In a 28-day oral study in rabbits,
animals (1-3/dose group) were given daily gavage doses of 1, 10, 100 or 500 mg/kg (in 5% gum
acacia solution) for 5 days/week (20 doses). Histopathology evaluation (tissues not specified)
showed very slight liver and kidney alterations at 500 mg/kg-day, very slight kidney changes at
100 mg/kg-day, and no changes at 1 or 10 mg/kg-day 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. No further
information was provided. NOAEL and LOAEL values were not derived for this study in rabbits
because detailed information regarding the nature and severity of liver and kidney effects was
not reported. Groups of male rats (5/group) were given 18 oral gavage doses of 0, 30, 100, 300
or 1000 mg/kg-day (in olive oil) over a 24 day period. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol administration did
not affect survival, terminal body weight, hematology or BUN analyses, organ to body weight
ratios, or histopathological examination of lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, adrenals, pancreas
or testes. Rats given doses of 1000 mg/kg-day lost an average of 10 g of body weight during the
first 10 days of the study, but body weight loss was recovered during the remainder of the study
and terminal body weights were similar to controls. A 15% increase in kidney weight was
observed in rats given 1000 mg/kg, as compared to control rats. The reported changes in body
and kidney weights in high-dose rats are not clearly adverse effects. A NOAEL value of 1000
mg/kg-day was therefore derived for this short-term rat study.
Chernoff andKavlock, 1982, 1983; Grayetal., 1983, 1986; Gray andKavlock, 1984
Pregnant CD-I mice (30 treated, 40 controls) were given 0 or 800 mg/kg-day 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol by corn oil gavage on gestation days (GD) 8 to 12. The change in maternal
weight was measured during the treatment period (frequency not given). The dams gave birth on
gestation day 19. The authors of this report considered the next day as postnatal day 1 (PND 1).
Dams were allowed to give birth and litters were counted and weighed on postnatal days (PND)
1 and 3. Dead pups were necropsied and abnormalities were recorded. Dams that had not given
birth by PND 3 were euthanized and uterine implantation sites were counted. All pups were
combined in a pool from which six were randomly assigned to 4-12 dams that had given birth
and selected for nursing of the pups on PND 6. Litter viability and pup weight were measured
on PND 30. Locomotor activity in a figure eight maze was measured for 60 minutes using one
male and one female mouse pup per litter on PND 21. This locomotor activity test was repeated
for male mice on PNDs 58 and 210. Female mice were not retested because many were pregnant
by PND 58 (male and female mice were housed together post-weaning). Female mice that
became pregnant were removed and housed individually through parturition (number not
specified). No further information was provided on the breeding of offspring exposed prenatally
to 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. The study report indicated that offspring litter size and the age of these
dams at parturition were recorded; however, these data were not clearly presented or discussed in
5

-------
7-27-2007
study reports. Necropsy was performed for male mice on PND 250. Body and organ weights
(liver, testes, seminal vesicles, right kidney) were measured and gross pathology was recorded.
Eighty percent of control mice (32/40) became pregnant, while only 60% of treated mice
became pregnant (18/30). Four dams given 2,4,5-trichlorophenol died prior to giving birth. The
cause of death was not specified in the study reports. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol administration
produced a 13% decrease in the number of pups alive/litter on PND 1. No change was seen in
maternal weight gain during treatment, average pup weight on PND 1, or the number or average
weight of pups alive on PND 3 or 30. A 21% increase in locomotor activity was seen in treated
mice as compared to controls on PND 21; however, this finding was not seen when the same
mice were retested on PND 58. No gross abnormalities were observed in 2,4,5-trichlorophenol-
treated offspring and organ weights were similar to controls.
Chernoff et al., 1990
Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats (25-30/group) were given 0 or 650 mg/kg-day
2,4,5-trichlorophenol by corn oil gavage on GD 6 to 15. Dams were weighed every other day
during the treatment period. Groups of rats were killed on GD 8 (n=l), GD 12 (n=4), GD 16
(n=3) and GD 20 (n=15). Thymus, spleen and adrenal weights were measured for dams in all
groups. Litters were removed from dams sacrificed on GD 20. Half of the fetuses from each
litter were fixed in formalin for examination of soft tissue anomalies and half were stained with
alizarin red for skeletal evaluation. Measured developmental endpoints included mean fetal
weight, mean fraction dead or resorbed, and mean proportion of fetuses with supernumerary ribs.
Lateral and fourth cerebral ventricles and the renal pelvis lumina were scored using a scale from
1 (no visible space) to 4 (apparent hydrocephaly or hydronephrosis).
2,4,5-Trichlorphenol administration caused 12% mortality in dams. Deaths occurred
throughout the treatment period, with dams dying prior to GD 8, GD 12 and GD 16. Maternal
weight gain was not affected by 2,4,5-trichlorophenol administration. A 20% increase in spleen
weight was observed in a single treated dam sacrificed on GD 8, as compared to control dams.
Spleen weights were similar to controls for treated dams sacrificed on GD 12, GD 16 and GD 20
and adrenal and thymus weights were similar to controls throughout the study. 2,4,5-
Trichlorophenol administration did not cause developmental toxicity, as assessed by fetal weight,
fraction dead or resorbed and evaluation of visceral and skeletal anomalies. A LOAEL value of
650 mg/kg-day was derived from this study, based on maternal mortality. A NOAEL value was
not available from this study.
Hoodetal. 1979
Pregnant CD-I mice (8 or more/group) were given 0 or 800-900 mg/kg of 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol via oral gavage (1:1 honey and water solution as vehicle) on a single day
between GD 8 and GD 15. Separate groups of pregnant mice (8 or more/group) were
administered 0 or 250-300 mg/kg 2,4,5-trichlorophenol via oral gavage (1:1 honey and water
solution as vehicle) for three consecutive days during gestation (GD 7-9, GD 10-12, GD 13-15).
Dams were sacrificed on GD 18 and the number of live, dead or resorbed fetuses was recorded.
Live fetuses were weighed and examined for gross malformations. Two fetuses per litter were
dissected and examined for gross visceral anomalies and malformations of the brain, oral and
nasal cavities. Additional fetuses from each litter (number not given) were fixed in formalin for
6

-------
7-27-2007
examination of soft tissue anomalies or were eviscerated and stained with alizarin red for skeletal
evaluation.
No results regarding maternal toxicity were reported. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
administration, given as a single gavage dose or on three consecutive days, did not reduce mean
fetal weight, or increase the incidence of gross malformations, or visceral or skeletal anomalies.
The incidence of prenatal deaths and resorptions (25.4% of total, not calculated on a per litter
basis) was significantly increased compared to solvent controls (9.2%), but not untreated controls
(10.3%>) in mice given a single dose (800-900 mg/kg) on GD 14. The incidence of prenatal
deaths and resorptions was similar to control mice for groups receiving 2,4,5-trichlorophenol on
other days (single or multi-dose). The study authors did not consider this isolated result to
indicate a significant developmental effect of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Although 800 mg/kg-day
appears to be a NOAEL, deficiencies in study methodology and reporting make interpretation of
this study uncertain.
Inhalation Exposure. No studies were located regarding the toxicity of 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol by inhalation exposure in animals.
Other Studies
Genotoxicity Information is available regarding the genotoxicity of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (see
Table 1). 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol produced both positive and negative results in the reverse
mutation assay using several strains of Salmonella typhimurium (George et al., 1992; Rasanen et
al., 1977; Strobel and Grummt, 1987). The differing results for reverse mutagenicity in
Salmonella typhimurium did not appear to be related to the applied concentration or bacterial
strain. Positive results were observed for mutagenicity in the Umu test system (error-prone
repair assay in Salmonella typhimurium) with and without metabolic activation (Ono et al., 1992)
and in the E. Coli prophage induction assay with metabolic activation (George et al., 1992; De
Marini et al., 1990). The prophage induction assay is based on lambda excision which occurs
during an SOS response to DNA damage. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol did not produce forward
mutations in Chinese hamster V79 cells (6-thioguanine resistance) (Jansson and Jansson, 1986),
or chromosomal aberrations or sister chromatid exchanges in human peripheral lymphocytes
exposed in vitro (Blank et al., 1983). Chromosome aberrations were seen in Chinese hamster
ovary (CHO) cells following incubation with 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, but only at concentrations
that produced significant cytotoxicity (cell counts <60%> of controls) (Armstrong et al., 1993).
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol administration to rats (164 mg/kg-day by gavage) did not produce DNA
damage in the blood or liver, as measured by the alkaline elution assay for single-strand breaks
(Kitchin and Brown, 1988). The genotoxicity findings for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol were mixed.
7

-------
7-27-2007
Table 1. Genotoxicity Studies with 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol



Results8


Test system
Endpoint
Test conditions
Without

With
Doseb
Reference



activation
activation


Prokarvotic organisms
S. typhimurium
strains
Reverse
mutation
Plate
incorporation



5 mg/plate
George et
al., 1992
TA98, TA100,

assay





TA102, TA104







S. typhimurium
Reverse
Plate



10 ng/plate
Strobel and
strains
mutation
incorporation




Grummt,
TA97, TA98,

assay




1987
TA100, TA104







S. typhimurium
Reverse
Plate



50 ng/plate
Rasanen et
strains
mutation
incorporation




al., 1977
TA98, TA100,

assay





TA1535, TA1537







S. typhimurium
Umu test
Error-prone



100 ng/mL
Ono et al.,
strain

repair
¦

¦

1992
TA1535/pSK1002







K coli (WP2„/.
strain derived from
Prophage
lambda
Microsuspension
assay



0.8 (iM
George et
al., 1992
K coli B/r;
induction






indicator strain


-




TH008 derived







from E. Coli C)







E. coli (WP2SX
strain derived from
Prophage
lambda
Microsuspension
assay



3.99 (iM
DeMarini et
al., 1990
E. coli B/r;
induction



+


indicator strain E.







coli C)







Mammalian cells
V79 Chinese
Forward
Plate



12.5 ng/mL
Jansson and
hamster cells
mutation to 6-
incorporation


NDC

Jansson,

thioguanine
assay



1986

resistance






Chinese hamster
Chromosome
Measured 20



140 ng/mL
Armstrong
ovary (CHO) cells
aberrations
hours after a 3
hour treatment
¦ I

NDC

et al., 1993
Human peripheral
lymphocytes
Chromosome
aberrations,
sister
chromatid
exchange
10 years after
industrial accident
(inhalation and
dermal exposure
assumed)
-
NDC
Not given; exposure
categories were
controls, possibly
exposed and known
to be exposed (with
chloracne)
Blank et al.,
1983
In vivo mammalian test systems
Female Sprague-
Dawley rat
DNA damage
in blood and
liver cells;
Single gavage dose
given 4 hours
prior to sacrifice;



164 mg/kg
Kitchin and
Brown, 1988

single-strand
vehicle was 16%


NDC




breaks
acetone/ 84% corn
-





measured by
oil






alkaline







elution






a+=positive, -=negative, T=toxicity, ND=no data





bLowest effective dose for positive results/highest dose tested for negative results; ND=no data.

^Exogenous metabolic activation not used, due to endogenous metabolic activity in mammalian cells.

8

-------
7-27-2007
Tumor Promotion
The tumor promoting activity of 2,4,5-trichlorphenol was evaluated in mouse skin
(Boutwell and Bosch, 1959). The fur was shaved from the backs of mice one week prior to
chemical application. 9,10-Dimethyl-l,2-benz[a]anthracene (0.3% DMBA in acetone, 25 [xL
application, 75[j,g) was applied as a single application to the mid-dorsal region of mice
(20/group, gender not specified). 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol (21% in acetone) was applied to the
backs of mice (25 [iL application, 5.25 mg) twice weekly for 16 weeks following DMBA
treatment. Typical papillomas larger than 1 mm were counted and the gross observation of
benign and malignant tumors was confirmed by microscopic examination. The survival of mice
treated with 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (19/20) was similar to acetone treated controls (18/20) at 16
weeks (both groups received DMBA application). 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol increased the incidence
of surviving mice with papillomas, as compared to acetone treated controls (42% incidence in
treatment mice, 0% incidence in control mice).
DERIVATION OF A PROVISIONAL SUBCHRONIC RfD FOR
2,4,5-TRICHLOROPHENOL
A chronic oral reference dose (RfD) for 2,4,5-trichlorphenol (0.1 mg/kg-day) is available
in IRIS (U.S. EPA, 1987). This value is based on liver and kidney pathology observed in a 98-
day dietary study (McCollister et al., 1961). Chronic oral toxicity studies were not available for
2,4,5-trichlorophenol. McCollister et al. (1961) is the only study that evaluated the subchronic
oral toxicity of this compound. The NOAEL and LOAEL values for this study (100 and 300
mg/kg-day, respectively) were based on liver and kidney lesions and a diurial effect (i.e., wet
abdomen) observed in male and female rats exposed to 2,4,5-trichlorophenol in the diet for 98
days. Kidney lesions consisted of degeneration of the tubule epithelium and proliferation of
interstitial tissue. Cloudy swelling and areas of focal necrosis were observed in the centrilobular
portion of the liver. Liver and kidney effects were also seen in a 28-day gavage study in rabbits
at doses of >100 mg/kg-day; however, the nature and severity of these effects was not indicated
(McCollister et al., 1961). In a 24-day dietary study in rats by the same authors, no effects were
observed on survival, terminal body weight, hematology or histopathology at doses of <1000
mg/kg-day.
Developmental toxicity assays were conducted using 2,4,5-trichlorophenol at oral gavage
doses of >650 mg/kg-day (Chernoff et al., 1990; Chernoff and Kavlock, 1982, 1983; Gray et al.,
1983; Gray and Kavlock,1984; Gray et al., 1986; Hood et al. 1979). Decreased maternal survival
was seen in mice given 800 mg/kg-day 2,4,5-trichlorophenol on GD 8 to 12 (Chernoff and
Kavlock, 1982, 1983; Gray et al., 1983, 1986; Gray and Kavlock, 1984) and in rats given 650
mg/kg-day 2,4,5-trichlorophenol on GD 6 to 15 (Chernoff et al., 1990). 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
administration reduced pup survival in mice on PND 1 (800 mg/kg-day, GD 8 to 12) (Chernoff
and Kavlock, 1982, 1983; Gray et al., 1983, 1986; Gray and Kavlock, 1984), but this effect may
have been secondary to maternal toxicity in the same study.
The subchronic p-RfD of 0.3 mg/kg-day is based on degenerative histopathological
changes in the liver (cloudy swelling and focal necrosis) and kidney (degeneration of tubule
9

-------
7-27-2007
epithelium) and a diurial effect observed in male and female rats exposed to 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol in the diet for 98 days (McCollister et al., 1961). Incidence data were not
provided in this study; therefore, benchmark dose (BMD) modeling could not be performed and
the NOAEL was chosen as the point of departure for the subchronic RfD.
The subchronic p-RfD is derived by dividing the NOAEL of 100 mg/kg-day by a
composite uncertainty factor (UF) of 300 as follows:
Subchronic p-RfD = NOAEL/ UF
= 100 mg/kg-day / 300
= 0.3 mg/kg-day
The composite UF of 300 includes factors of 10 for animal-to-human extrapolation and
interindividual variability and a factor of 3 for database uncertainty. The interspecies UF of 10
was used to account for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences across species. The
interindividual variability UF of 10 is used to account for variation in sensitivity within human
populations because there is limited information on the degree to which humans of varying
gender, age, health status or genetic makeup might vary in the disposition of, or response to
2,4,5-trichlorophenol. A database UF of 3 was selected due to the absence of supporting
subchronic or chronic oral toxicity studies and lack of a multigeneration reproductive toxicity
study. Available developmental toxicity studies were limited and were at high single doses, but
indicate that the developing organism may not be a sensitive target for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol.
Confidence in the critical study is medium. McCollister et al. (1961) was a well-
conducted, 13-week dietary study; however, a relatively small number of animals were used
(10/group) and data reporting was minimal. Hematology analysis was only performed for a
small subset of female rats (5/group) and clinical chemistry tests were not performed (with the
exception of BUN in 3 male rats/group). Histopathology examination was performed for lungs,
heart, liver, kidney, spleen, testes, brain, adrenals and brain and both NOAEL and LOAEL
values were derived from the study based on liver and kidney toxicity. Confidence in the
database is low-to-medium. No supporting subchronic or chronic oral toxicity studies were
available; however, supporting short-term studies were conducted in rats and rabbits
(McCollister et al., 1961). Single-dose developmental toxicity studies were available using oral
gavage doses of >650 mg/kg-day; although limited, these studies suggest that the developing
organism may not be particularly sensitive to the oral toxicity of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. A
multigeneration reproductive toxicity study is not available. Overall, confidence in the
subchronic p-RfD is low-to-medium.
FEASIBILITY OF DERIVING PROVISIONAL CHRONIC AND SUBCHRONIC RfC
VALUES FOR 2,4,5-TRICHLOROPHENOL
No inhalation toxicity studies are available for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. The data are
therefore inadequate to support derivation of a provisional inhalation subchronic or chronic RfC
for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol.
10

-------
7-27-2007
PROVISIONAL CARCINOGENICITY ASSESSMENT FOR 2,4,5-
TRICHLOROPHENOL
Weight-of-evidence Classification
Under the Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (U.S. EPA, 2005), there is
inadequate evidence to assess the carcinogenic potential of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, based on
limited data in both humans and animals. This compound was previously classified as weight-
of-evidence Group D, due to inadequate evidence from both animal and human studies (U.S.
EPA, 1988a). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) indicated that 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol has not been adequately tested for carcinogenicity (IARC, 1979, 1987).
Human studies have not evaluated cancer risks of exposure to 2,4,5-trichlorophenol as a
single agent. Studies in pesticide production workers consider simultaneous exposure to
chlorinated phenols, phenoxy herbicides and chlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans (reviewed in
ATSDR, 1999; WHO, 1989). Genotoxicity findings were mixed for reverse mutation in S.
typhimurium, but were positive for mutagenicity in the Umu test system (error-prone repair assay
in Salmonella typhimurium) and the E. Coli prophage induction assay (see Table 1). No
conclusion could be derived from the available genotoxicity studies. No other studies were
available that evaluated the carcinogenic potential of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol.
Quantitative Estimates of Carcinogenic Risk
There are no human or animal data on which to base an oral or inhalation cancer
assessment for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol.
REFERENCES
ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). 2006. 2006 Threshold
limit values for chemical substances and physical agents and biological exposure indices.
ACGIH, Cincinnati, OH.
Armstrong, M.J., S.M. Galloway and J. Ashby. 1993. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (TCP) induces
chromosome breakage and aneuploidy in vitro. Mutat. Res. 303:101-108.
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). 1999. Toxicological profile for
Chlorophenols. Review Draft. U.S. Public Health Service. Atlanta, GA. TP-107. Available at
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tpl07.html.
Blank, C.E., P. Cooke and A.M. Potter. 1983. Investigations for genotoxic effects after
exposure to crude 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Br. J. Indust. Med. 40:87-91.
Bleiberg, J., M. Wallen, R. Brodken et al. 1964. Industrially acquired porphyria. Arch.
Dermatol. 89:793-797.
11

-------
7-27-2007
Boutwell, R.K. and D.K. Bosch. 1959. The tumor-promoting action of phenol and related
compounds for mouse skin. Cancer Res. 19:413-429.
Calvert, G.M., R.W. Hornung, M.H. Sweeney et al. 1992. Hepatic and gastrointestinal effects in
an occupational cohort exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin. JAMA. 267:2209-
2214.
Calvert, G.M., M.H. Sweeney, J.A. Morris, M.A. Fingerhut, R.W. Hornung and W.E. Halperin.
1991. Evaluation of chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and ventilatory
function among workers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.
144:1302-1306.
Chernoff, N. and R.J. Kavlock. 1982. An in vivo teratology screen utilizing pregnant mice. J.
Toxicol. Environ. Health. 10:541-550.
Chernoff, N. and R.J. Kavlock. 1983. A teratology test system which utilizes postnatal growth
and viability in the mouse. Environ. Res. 27:417-427.
Chernoff, N., R.W. Setzer, D.B. Miller et al. 1990. Effects of chemically induced maternal
toxicity on prenatal development in the rat. Teratology. 42:651-658.
DeMarini, D.M., H.G. Brooks and D.G. Parkes, Jr. 1990. Induction of prophage lambda by
chl orophenol s. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 15:1-9.
George, S.E., D.A. Whitehouse and L.D. Claxton. 1992. Genotoxicity of 2,4,5-
trichlorophenoxyacetic acid biodegradation products in the Salmonella reversion and lambda
prophage-induction bioassays. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 11:733-740.
Gray, L.E. and R.J. Kavlock. 1984. An extended evaluation of an in vivo teratology screen
utilizing postnatal growth and viability in the mouse. Teratol. Carcinog. Mutagen. 4:403-426.
Gray, L.E., R.J. Kavlock, J. Ostby et al. 1983. Assessment of the utility of postnatal testing
following prenatal exposure to forty chemicals. Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 140:39-62.
Gray, L.E., R.J. Kavlock, J. Ostby, J. Ferrell, J. Rogers and K. Gray. 1986. An evaluation of
figure-eight maze activity and general behavioral development following prenatal exposure to
forty chemicals: effects of cytosine arabinoside, dinocap, nitrofen, and vitamin A.
Neurotoxicology. 7(2):449-462.
Hood, R.D., B.L. Patterson, G.T. Thacker et al. 1979. Prenatal effects of 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol, and phenoxyacetic acid in mice. J. Environ. Sci. Health C. 13(3): 189-204.
IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 1979. IARC Monograph. Vol 20
Available at http://www.iarc.fr/index.html.
12

-------
7-27-2007
IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 1987. IARC Monographs. Vol 1-42
Available at http://www.iarc.fr/index.html.
Jansson, K. and V. Jansson. 1986. Inability of chlorophenols to induce 6-thioguanine-resistant
mutants in V79 Chinese hamster cells. Mutat. Res. 171:165-168.
Kitchin, K.T. and J.L. Brown. 1988. Biochemical effects of three chlorinated phenols in rat
liver. Toxicolog. Environ. Chem. 16:165-172.
McCollister, D.D., D.T. Lockwood and J.K. Rowe. 1961. Toxicologic information on 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 3:63-70.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). 2006. Online NIOSH Pocket
Guide to Chemical Hazards. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg.
NTP (National Toxicology Program). 2005. Report on Carcinogens, 11th ed. National
Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Ono, Y., I. Somiya and T. Kawaguchi. 1992. Genotoxic evaluation on aromatic organochlorine
compounds by using www test. Water Sci. Technol. 26(l-2):61-69.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). 2006. OSHA Standard 1910.1000
Table Z-l. Part Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances. Available at
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show document?p table=STANDARDS&p id=999
2.
Ott, M.G., B.B. Holder and R.D. Olson. 1980. A mortality analysis of employees engaged in
the manufacture of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid. J. Occup. Med. 22:47-50.
Ott, M.G., R.A. Olson, R.R. Cooke et al. 1987. Cohort mortality study of chemical workers
with potential exposure to the higher chlorinated dioxins. J. Occup. Med. 29:422-429.
Rasanen, L., M.L. Hattula and A.U. Arstila. 1977. The mutagenicity of MCPA and its soil
metabolites, chlorinated phenols, catechols and some widely used slimicides in Finland. Bull.
Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18:565-571.
Strobel, K. and T. Grummt. 1987. Aliphatic and aromatic halocarbons as potential mutagens in
drinking water. Toxicol. Environ. Chem. 14:143-156.
U.S. EPA. 1980. Ambient Water Quality Criteria Document for Chlorinated Phenols. Prepared
by Office of Research and Development, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office,
Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Water, Regulations and Standards Criteria and Standards
Division, Washington, DC. EPA/440/5-80-032. NTIS PB81-117434.
13

-------
7-27-2007
U.S. EPA. 1984. Health Effects Assessment for 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol. Prepared by the
Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response, Washington, DC. EPA/540/1-86-034.
U.S. EPA. 1986. Drinking Water Criteria Document for Chlorophenols. Prepared by the Office
of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office,
Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Drinking Water, Washington, DC. ECAO-CIN-D005.
U.S. EPA. 1987a. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Online. Office of Research and
Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC.
www.epa.gov/iris. Accessed 2007.
U.S. EPA. 1987b. Health and Environmental Effects Document for Chlorinated Phenols.
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. ECAO-CIN-G013.
U.S. EPA. 1988a. Evaluation of the Potential Carcinogenicity of 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol.
Prepared by Carcinogen Assessment Group, Office of Health and Environmental Assessment,
Washington, DC for Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response, Washington, DC. June. EPA 600/8-91/194.
U.S. EPA. 1988b. Recommendations for and Documentation of Biological Values for Use in
Risk Assessment. Prepared by Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental
Criteria and Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response, Washington, DC. EPA 600/6-87/008. PB88-179874/AS.
U.S. EPA. 1991. Chemical Assessments and Related Activities (CARA). Office of Health and
Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC. April.
U.S. EPA. 1994. Chemical Assessments and Related Activities (CARA). Office of Health and
Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC. December.
U.S. EPA. 1997. Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables. FY-1997 Update. Prepared by
the Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment,
Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Washington, DC. July.
EPA/540/R-97/036. NTIS PB97-921199.
U.S. EPA. 2005. Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Risk Assessment Forum, Washington, DC. EPA/630/P-03/001B. Available at
http://www.thecre.com/pdf/200504Q4 cancer.pdf.
U.S. EPA. 2006. 2006 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories. Office
of Water, Washington, DC. Summer, 2002. EPA 822-R-06-013. Available at
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/drinking/standards/dwstandards.pdf
14

-------
7-27-2007
WHO. 1989. Environmental Health Criteria 93: Chlorophenols Other Than Pentachlorophenol.
World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1-89. Available at
http ://www. inchem. org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc093. htm
15

-------