4-chlorophenol

Exposure related observations in humans: other data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

exposure-related observations in humans: other data

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1989

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Data from WHO report on chlorophenols (collective views of an international group of experts).

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

review article or handbook

Title:

Chlorophenols other than pentachlorphenol (environmental health criteria 93)

Author:

EHC

Year:

1989

Bibliographic source:

http://www.inchem.org

Materials and methods

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorooxanthrene (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) / 1746-01-6

IUPAC Name:

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorooxanthrene (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) / 1746-01-6

Constituent 2

Reference substance name:

2,4,5-trichlorophenol / 95-95-4

IUPAC Name:

2,4,5-trichlorophenol / 95-95-4

Constituent 3

Reference substance name:

2,3,4,6-TETRACHLOROPHENOL / 12698-64-5

IUPAC Name:

2,3,4,6-TETRACHLOROPHENOL / 12698-64-5

Results and discussion

Any other information on results incl. tables

Effects on Man

 

Occupational exposure

Worker exposure is a major concern in industries in which chlorophenols are used extensively, as respiratory and dermal absorption of these compounds results in measurable levels in the blood and urine of exposed workers.

In the manufacture of chlorophenols, clinical symptoms associated with exposure include eye, nose, and airway irritation, dermatitis, chloracne, and porphyria. Abnormal liver function tests, changes in brain wave activity, and slowed visual reaction time have been reported in association with high-level exposure.

In sawmill workers, Na-tetrachlorophenol exposures have caused numerous cases of dermatitis and respiratory irritation. Eye, nose, and airway irritation from exposure to trichlorophenols have been reported by gas mask testers.

 

Cancer incidence and mortality to chlorophenol

Conflicting results have come from epidemiological studies relating cancer incidence and mortality to chlorophenol exposure in the work place. Associations between soft-tissue sarcoma, malignant lymphoma, and nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer, have been shown in some epidemiological studies, but not in others. Exposure levels have not been accurately determined in these studies, and the conflicting results remain unresolved, at present.

 

Non-occupational exposure (additional information)

Low (usually 10 mg/kg) levels of the lower chlorinated phenols are found in the serum, urine, and adipose tissues of the general population. The major identifiable sources of these chlorophenols are food and drinking-water. Chlorophenol levels in the ambient atmosphere have not been measured.

In the only instance of acute exposure of the general population to chlorophenols, an explosion at a manufacturing plant contaminated an area, with a population of 37 000 persons, with sodium hydroxide, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. However, the effects, if any, of the released 2,4,5-trichlorophenol were masked by those of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Clinical symptoms attributed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin were recorded in the exposed individuals. No toxic effects have been attributed to the low concentrations of chlorophenols typical of most non-occupational exposures. However, undesirable organoleptic effects are produced by chlorophenols at very low concentrations.