m-Cresol - ipcs inchem

OECD SIDS
m- / p-CRESOL
study in which p-cresol aerosols were used, the mean lethal concentration in rats was reported to be
29 mg/m³. Clinical signs of toxicity included irritation of mucous membranes, neuromuscular
excitation and convulsions. Haematuria was reported at very high concentrations (Pereima 1975).
m/p-Cresol:
There are no data available using a m/p-cresol mixture.
Conclusion:
No mortality nor clinical signs of toxicity were seen following exposure to the saturated vapour
concentration of either m-cresol or p-cresol. Inhalation of aerosols may however cause death, and
mean lethal concentrations in rats were reported to be 29 mg/m³ for p-cresol and 58 mg/m³ for m-
cresol. Clinical signs of toxicity included irritation of mucous membranes, excitation and
convulsions. Haematuria was reported at very high concentrations.
Dermal
m-Cresol:
1000 - 3160 mg/kg bw undiluted m-cresol was applied to the skin of 5 rabbits per dose (exposure
time not mentioned, observation time: 14 days) yielding an LD 50 of 2050 mg/kg bw. From 4 hours
post application up to 12 hours the animals showed lacrimation, salivation, hypersensitivity,
convulsions and hypoactivity; the treated skin showed severe erythema and burns. At gross autopsy,
the decedents showed hyperemia of lungs and kidneys whereas survivors showed no significant
findings. (BioFax 1969a). This result is in accordance with the results of another study, in which 24
hr exposure to the neat material was followed by a 14-day observation period. The LD 50 (rabbit) was
reported to be 2830 mg/kg bw (Vernot et al. 1977).
p-Cresol:
215 - 681 mg/kg bw undiluted p-cresol was applied to the skin of 5 rabbits per dose (exposure time
not mentioned, observation time: 14 days) yielding an LD 50 of 300 mg/kg bw. From 4 hours post
application up to 12 hours the animals showed tremors, salivation, sedation and finally died. At the
application site severe subdermal hemorrhaging and severe erythema were observed. At gross
autopsy, the decedents showed inflammation of the kidneys whereas survivors showed no
significant findings (BioFax,1969b). This result is in accordance with the results of another study,
in which 24 hr exposure to the neat material was followed by a 14-day observation period. The
LD 50 (rabbit) was calculated to be 300 mg/kg bw (Vernot et al. 1977).
m/p-Cresol:
There is no study available using m/p-cresol-mixtures.
Conclusion:
Following dermal application in rabbits the LD 50 of undiluted m-cresol was 2050 mg/kg bw and the
LD 50 of p-cresol was 300 mg/kg bw. It can be assumed that the LD 50 of m/p-cresol mixtures is
between 300 and 2000 mg/kg bw.
UNEP PUBLICATIONS 17