Chloramide

Eye irritation

Administrative data

Endpoint:

eye irritation: in vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Unsuitable test system. No standard scorring system.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Irritant effect (conjunctivitis) of chlorine and chlorine and chloramines in swimming pool water.

Author:

Eichelsdorfer D., Slovak J. and Schmid K.

Year:

1975

Bibliographic source:

Vom Wasser, Vol. 45, pp. 17-28.

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The irritant effect of the monochloramine solutions on mucous membranes was tested on rabbit conjunctiva. Rabbit eyes were exposed in continuous to test solutions during one hour thanks to a silicone tubing implanted in the eyes. The test series was carried out with increasing concentrations until a positive result was achieved, in the sense of objectively detectable irritation of the mucous membranes. Each concentration step for each test solution was tested on 5 to 6 different experimental animals.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Chloramide

EC Number:

234-217-9

EC Name:

Chloramide

Cas Number:

10599-90-3

Molecular formula:

ClH2N

IUPAC Name:

chloranamine

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Monochloramine
- Substance type: solution
- Physical state: liquid

Test animals / tissue source

Species:

rabbit

Strain:

not specified

Details on test animals or tissues and environmental conditions:

No data

Test system

Vehicle:

water

Controls:

yes

Amount / concentration applied:

TEST MATERIAL
- Amount(s) applied (volume or weight with unit): no data on the volume. The amounts of liquid were kept constant in all the tests and calculated so that the eye was constantly wetted with the test solution.
- Concentration (if solution): 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/l.
- Preparation of test solutions: The monochloramine solutions were prepared by slowly adding dilute chlorine water to an ammonium chloride solution, in the mole ratio chlorine:nitrogen = 1:1.25. The pH of the solutions was adjusted to the pH of Munich tap water (about 7.5). By fractional separation of the individual forms of combined chlorine according to the N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine method (DPD method) and by determination of the sum of the total chlorine content, we were able to establish that the test solutions contained practically only monochloramine and no free chlorine. In addition, we studied test solutions with higher concentrations (about 5 x 10exp-4 molar concentration) spectroscopically. Since the UV spectra of monochloramine (λmax= 243 nm) and dichloramine (λmax= 297 nm) are sufficiently different, it could be definitely established that the solutions contained exclusively monochloramine; dichloramine could not be detected spectroscopically.

Duration of treatment / exposure:

The eye was constantly wetted with the test solution during one hour.

Observation period (in vivo):

No data

Number of animals or in vitro replicates:

5 to 6 different experimental animals

Details on study design:

SCORING SYSTEM: The pictures were assessed in particular according to the shade of reddening as well as the number and size of the capillaries compared with a blank obtained for the same exposure time with pure Munich tap water.

TOOL USED TO ASSESS SCORE: Assessment was carried out with the help of color photographs taken under standardized conditions, with the rabbits's upper eyelid lifted up from the upper conjunctival sac.

Results and discussion

In vivo

Irritant / corrosive response data:

Clear reaction at 4 mg/l and very severe reaction at 5 mg/l.

Other effects:

None reported

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:

irritating

Remarks:

Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: expert judgment

Conclusions:

Under the conditions of this test, Monochloramine solutions at 4 and 5 mg/l induced irritating effects in rabbits.

Executive summary:

The irritant effect of monochloramine solutions (2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/l) on mucous membranes was tested on rabbit conjunctiva. In order to be able to steadily expose the conjunctiva to test solutions during the entire testing period (one hour), silicone tubing was implanted into the rabbit so that the eye could be constantly wetted without mechanically irritating the eye area or adversely affecting the animal. The silicone tubing, about 1.5 mm in diameter, was inserted after anesthesia with the help of a cannula from the end of the lacrinal sac near the fold, and run subcutaneously to between the ears. The test solutions were fed by means of a standard infusion set that was connected to the silicone tubing between the ears of the animal. Clear conjunctival irritation was observed at 4 mg/l and a severe eye irritation was observed at 5 mg/l which spread from the sensitive mucous membranes of the conjunctiva to the less sensitive areas of the ocular membrane.