Cyclohexanone (1991)
Abstract
Neat cyclohexanone was severely irritant to the skin and eyes of rabbits. The vapour irritated the eyes and respiratory tissues of man and laboratory animals. There is limited evidence that occupational exposure may cause skin sensitization, but studies in guinea-pigs and mice have given no support for a sensitizing effect. In acute studies, cyclohexanone had a moderate to low toxicity by the oral route in rats and mice and was moderately toxic by inhalation in rats and when applied to the skin of rabbits. Central nervous system effects, widespread blood vessel injury and lung damage occurred in various species of laboratory animal following ingestion, inhalation and/or dermal application. Liver damage and effects on the thymus were observed in long-term feeding studies in mice but not in rats. High exposures caused maternal and foetal toxicity in mice treated orally and in rats treated by inhalation. Oral studies in rats and mice have given no convincing evidence of carcinogenicity. Cyclohexanone damaged the chromosomes of human cells treated in culture and caused chromosomal effects and gene mutations in hamster cells, although it was inactive in other mammalian cell culture assays. It was non-mutagenic in a good quality Ames bacterial test but other studies reported genotoxic activity in bacteria. There was no conclusive evidence of genotoxicity in limited screening assays in rodents.
Toxicity Profiles are comprehensive, yet concise, monographs on the hazard potential of individual chemicals. They are written by scientists specially trained in the evaluation of toxicity data and are prepared principally from primary information sources. To see the full list of nearly 500 Toxicity Profiles currently available, please click here. Profiles can be obtained by contacting our help desk (e-mail document@bibratoxadvice.co.uk) or by completing the enquiry form on the Contact Us page.
Copyright © 1991 BIBRA Information Services Ltd