Methanesulphonyl chloride

Endpoint summary

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

255 mg/kg bw

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Value:

117.7 mg/m³ air

Additional information

Oral route

In an acute oral toxicity study, methansulfonyl chloride (purity unknown) was administered to 5 groups of 5 male WBS/W rats at dose levels of 100, 141, 200, 283 and 400 mg/kg (Latven, 1977).

Mortality was 0, 0, 20, 60 and 100% at the dose level of 100, 141, 200, 283 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Clinical signs recorded prior to death were general distress (immediate) and hypotonia. Surviving animals showed significant losses in body weight for one to 5 days but were recovered 2 to 7 days after treatment. The oral LD50 was 255 mg/kg in male rats with a 95% confidence interval limits of 205-317 mg/kg.

Inhalation exposure

In an acute inhalation toxicity study performed according to the OECD guideline #403 and to the GLP, 3 groups of 5 male and 5 female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to methanesulfonyl chloride (purity > 95%) vapor for 4 hours at mean analytical levels of 95.5, 130.6 and 251.6 mg/m³, respectively (Hardy & Jackson, 1987). Clinical signs observed during exposure included closing or partial closing of the eyes, wet fur around mouth, disturbances of the respiratory pattern and adoption of a hunched body posture. During the post-exposure period, clinical signs included lethargy and disturbances of the respiratory pattern, Signs indicative of an effect on the respiratory tract persisted for several days in rats that survived exposure. Lung congestion and damage to the corneal surface of the eyes seen in a high proportion of the decedents were considered to be treatment-related findings. The LC50 for combined males and females was 117.7 mg/m³with a standard error of 12.7 mg/m³. There was no obvious difference in level of toxicity between the sexes.

In a study performed following GLP and U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines, groups of five male and five female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 165, 174 and 300 ppm (773.4, 815.5 and 1406 mg/m3, analytical concentrations) methanesulfonyl chloride for 1 hour, followed by a 14-day observation period (Rinehart, 1986). Clinical signs noted during exposure and within 5-hours post-exposure included secretory and pulmonary responses (not otherwise specified) and decreased activity in all groups. Rats in the 300 ppm group, had eyes closed and prostration. Signs noted during the observation period included secretory and pulmonary responses and generally poor condition in 300 ppm rats until death on the afternoon following exposure. Survivors from the 165 and 174 ppm groups showed secretory and pulmonary effects through days 4-5; these signs were noted sporadically thereafter. Corneal irregularities/opacities were noted in 3/9 animals in the 165 ppm group and 8/8 animals in the 174 ppm group at the end of the observation period. The data did not allow for the calculation of an LC50 value; however, the study authors stated that the one-hour LC50 is most likely in the range of 820 to 1171 mg/m3.

Dermal route

Three albino rabbits were treated dermally with a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of methanesulfonyl chloride (purity unknown) and 6 additional rabbits were treated with a single dose of 200 mg/kg (2.0 ml/kg of a 10% w/v dilution in PEG 400) (Latven, 1977). Individual dose were applied to the fur-clipped skin of the trunk under a pre-fitted impervious sleeve on each animal. After a skin-contact period of 24 hours, the sleeves were removed and surviving animals were observed for seven days. No mortality was observed at 200 mg/kg and all of the animals remained asymptomatic and gained body weight during the observation period. When exposures were terminated, a well-defined erythema (score 2) was present over the entire trunk of each rabbit. All rabbits died at 2000 mg/kg. Initial skin contact evoked an intense pain reaction. One of the 3 rabbits died 30 min after exposure and the other 2 rabbits died during the following night. In each case the skin of the entire trunk was necrotic gray in appearance and the eyes were irritated. The acute dermal LD50 of Methanesulfonyl chloride was estimated to be greater than 200 mg/kg and lower than 2000 mg/kg in the rabbit.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Self-classification according to:

- Directive 67/548/EEC

R21/22 Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.

R26 Very toxic by inhalation.

- Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008

Acute toxicity, category 3, oral

Acute toxicity, category 3, dermal

Acute toxicity, category 1, inhalation