262 PROCESSING AND PACKAGING CONTAMINANTS

PROCESSING AND PACKAGING CONTAMINANTS

1239. Linear aikylbenzene sulphonates: So far so good

Kay, J. H., Kohn, F. E. & Calandra, J. C. (1965). Subacute oral toxicity of Biodegradable Santomerse 85-b. Toxic. appl. Pharmac. 7, 487.

Oser, B. L. & Morgareidge, K. (1965). Toxicologic studies with branched and linear alkyl benzene sulfonates in rats. Toxic. appL Pharmac. 7, 819.

It has been shown that whereas just over 50 ~o of branched-chain alkylbenzene sulpho- hates (ABS) are degraded in sewage treatment, the linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) are degraded almost completely (Cited in F.C.T. 1966, 4, 628). For this reason LAS are intended to replace the ABS now in commercial usage. Toxicological studies are being undertaken on LAS to ensure that this transformation will not introduce a health hazard to m a n .

In a preliminary report by Kay et al. (cited above) a linear dodecylbenzene sodium sulphonate was fed to rats at dietary levels of 0.0, 0.02 and 0-5 ~o for 90 days. No adverse effect was seen in respect of growth, appetite, food utilization, survival time, blood picture, urinary parameters, absolute and relative organ weights or organ pathology.

In comparative acute and short-term toxicity studies on ABS and LAS in rats, Oser & Morgareidge (cited above) found no significant difference between the acute oral toxicity (ca. 0.5 g/kg) of an ABS compound nominally of CI2 chain length (Clo-C,4) and of an LAS compound of similar chain length (C9-C15). Diets providing these two compounds at levels of 0.0, 0.05 or 0.25 g/kg/day for 90 days had no effect on general health, growth, food intake or utilization, haematology, blood and urine chemistry or organ pathology. Very slight liver enlargement was seen in both sexes on the higher dose of ABS and in females on the higher dose of LAS. Thus ABS and LAS show little difference in their short-term effects.

[The above studies indicate that straight-chain alkylbenzene sulphonates are just as innocuous as their branched-chain counterparts. However, not until their long-term effects are compared will an assessment of their relative hazards to man be possible.]

1240. Trlchloroethylene turns its attention to the kidney Gutch, C. F., Tomhave, W. G. & Stevens, S. C. (1965). Acute renal failure due to inhalation of trichlorethylene. Ann. intern. Med. 63, 128.

Trichloroethylene (I) is known to be neurotoxic and to have caused fatal hepatic necrosis (Cited in F.C.T. 1966, 4, 618), but acute renal failure has not previously been associated with its inhalation.

A man who used I on floor tiles in a hot, badly ventilated room was exposed for about 2 hr and then went home, taking a quart of beer on the way. That evening and subsequently he displayed a variety of respiratory and gastro-intestinal disturbances. Elevated blood levels of urea nitrogen and potassium suggested acute renal failure, and he was treated by peri- toneal dialysis, which improved his condition slowly. Kidney biopsy showed acute tubular degeneration, while liver biopsy revealed some fatty metamorphosis and passive congestion but no indication of acute toxic changes or of cirrhosis. There was electrocardiographic evidence of a toxic myocarditis, probably on account of the retention of I during the period of urinary failure. Recovery was complete. The sample of I was found to be 99-5 ~o pure, and there was no question of contamination.

1241. Metabolism of ethylene dibromide

Nachtomi, Edna, Alumot, Eugenia & Bondi, A. (1965). The metabolism of ethylene di- bromide (EDB) and related compounds in the rat. Israel J. Chem. 3, 119 p.