Subchronic Oral Toxicity of RDX in Rats

Abstract

1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, commonly known as RDX, is a military explosive that has been extensively used by the U.S. Military since the late 1930's and has been reported to cause convulsions in military field personnel and munition workers during use and manufacture. In addition, military bases across the United States have been contaminated due to the testing and disposal of RDX. Thus, human exposure is possible both during remediation processes and through groundwater contamination. This report outlines a progressive series of three oral toxicity studies on RDX that were designed to identify effect levels, define target organs, support regulatory actions, and provide risk assessment information. Male and female Fischer 344 rats were dosed 7 days a week for a period of 13 weeks at dosages of 0,4,8,10,12, and 15 mg/kg/day. The RDX was suspended in a solution of 1% Methylcellulose/0.2% Tween 80 in distilled water. Male and female dose dependent mortality, as well as other measured parameters, was observed at dosages of 8 mg/kg/day and above. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level for this study was 4 mg/kg/day, based on mortality.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 30, 2006
Accession Number
AD1050903

Entities

People

  • Heidi I. Paulus
  • Lee C. Crouse
  • Mark S. Johnson
  • Mark W. Michie
  • Michael Major
  • Robyn B. Lee

Organizations

  • United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Body Weight
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Digestive System Processes
  • Explosives
  • Granulocytes
  • Hemorrhage
  • Leukocytes
  • Lymphocytes
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nervous System
  • Preventive Medicine
  • United States

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology