ortho-Phenylphenol (OPP) and its sodium salt (SOPP) produced skin and eye irritation in humans and laboratory animals, and OPP has caused depigmentation of human skin. Skin sensitization to OPP has been reported in man. Both compounds were of moderate acute oral toxicity in rats and mice, and affected the lungs, liver, gastro-intestinal tract, heart and kidneys. Repeated oral administration of OPP or SOPP to rats caused kidney damage, changes in the liver, urine and blood, and various tissue abnormalities in the urinary bladder, including malignant tumours. Mice treated with SOPP repeatedly by the oral route showed increased liver weight and possible effects on the brain and bladder. Repeated application of OPP to the skin produced changes in the adrenal glands and kidneys of mice. Foetal toxicity was induced when OPP was given orally to pregnant rats and mice at maternally toxic doses but no increase in foetal malformations was observed.

The majority of Ames bacterial tests on OPP and SOPP gave no evidence of mutagenic activity, though OPP was occasionally positive. Mutations have been induced by OPP in mammalian cells in culture but inconsistent results have been obtained with OPP and SOPP in assays monitoring chromosomal effects. When given orally to rats and mice, neither OPP nor SOPP produced chromosome damage or dominant lethal mutations but SOPP damaged the DNA of the bladder lining in rats.

Date of Publication: 1990

Number of Pages: 11

CAS Number*: 90-43-7

132-27-4

Format: PDF available for immediate download

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