The acute toxicity of nonachloropredioxin and 3- and 4-hydroxynonachlorodiphenyl ether in mice.

The acute intraperitoneal LD50 values of hydroxynonachlorodiphenyl ethers (HO-Cl9-DPEs) in mice have been determined. The acute toxicity of each of these compounds is compared with that of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2-hydroxy-2',4,4'-trichlorodiphenyl ether (2-HO-Cl3-DPE; Irgasan DP-300; Triclosan), a commonly used bactericide. The order of acute toxicity observed was: 2-HO-Cl9-DPE greater than technical PCP approximately equal to pure PCP greater than 3-HO-Cl9-DPE greater than 4-HO-Cl9-DPE greater than 2-HO-Cl3-DPE. Symptomatology following exposure to the HO-Cl9-DPEs was similar to that observed for PCP, a known uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. 2-HO-Cl3-DPE, however, produced clinical signs suggestive of a suppressive effect on the central nervous system. Data on time response following a lethal dose of each of these compounds was also obtained.