Hexachlorophene in mice. Effects after long-term percutaneous applications.

The toxicity and carcinogenicity of life-time applications of hexachlorophene on the skin of Swiss mice were studied. Twice weekly applications of 0.02 ml of a 50% or 25% solution produced necrosis and ulceration of the skin as well as neurological symptoms and a mortality of up to 22% within two weeks. At autopsy, edema and cystic lesions were seen in the white matter of the central nervous system. The neurological symptoms were reversible, though a proportion of the cystic lesions persisted. Only one skin tumor was seen and the number of tumors of other organs, lymphomas, lung adenomas, liver hemangiomas, and other tumors, was not higher than in the controls. It is concluded from this study that percutaneous application of hexachlorophene has toxic local and systemic effects in mice, but no carcinogenic effects.