Dimethyl terephthalate (1995)
Abstract
Soviet studies indicated that dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) had an irritant action on the skin, eyes and mucous membranes of laboratory animals. Limited Western studies suggested a more mild local action. Guinea-pig studies involving repeated application to the skin of a dilute solution found no evidence of sensitizing potential. In acute studies, a low oral toxicity was reported in rats and a low dermal toxicity in guinea-pigs. Repeated administration in the diet of rats produced urinary tract stones and associated tissue changes. No similar effects were seen in mice (exposed to lower dietary concentrations). Limited information from repeated inhalation studies conducted in the West suggests a low toxicity in laboratory animals whereas in Soviet studies toxic effects on multiple organs have been claimed. In limited reproduction studies in rats treated orally, DMT produced slight reductions in pup weight. No convincing evidence of carcinogenicity was seen in long-term oral studies in rats and mice. In Western studies, DMT has given no clear evidence of genotoxicity over a wide range of end-points, including mutagenicity in a number of Ames tests, or chromosome damage in mice treated by injection. Chromosome damage in injected mice and mutations in fruit flies have been reported in Soviet studies.
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