Percutaneous toxicity of hexachlorobutadiene.

Rabbits have been epicutaneously exposed to pure hexachlorobutadiene (0.25; 0.50; 0.75 and 1.00 ml/kg) during 8 hrs. This solvent was completely absorbed; some animals died within 24 hrs and others a few days later. The LD50 is 0.72 ml/kg (Bliss' method). Hexachlorobutadiene induced in situ cutaneous necrosis and its absorption induced systemic damage (fatty liver degeneration and epithelial necrotizing nephritis). These lesions are reversible. The present results confirm the toxicological profile of this solvent, previously established by the intraperitoneal and oral routes: hexachlorobutadiene is the most nephrotoxic aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbon.