US EPA

64942 

Journal Article 

Toxicity of beta-chloroprene (2-chlorobutadiene-1,3): Acute and subacute toxicity 

Clary, JJ; Feron, VJ; Reuzel, PGJ 

1978 

1 

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
ISSN: 0041-008X
EISSN: 1096-0333 

46 

2 

375-384 

English 

10.1016/0041-008X(78)90082-0 

A study of the toxicity of β-chloroprene, which consisted of acute inhalation toxicology, Class B poison test, and a 4-week range study, was conducted to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity of the β-chloroprene and the preliminary work prior to a 2-year inhalation study on rats and hamsters. β-Chloroprene appears to have a low acute toxicity. The Approximate Lethal Concentration (ALC) in rats after 4 hr of exposure is approximately 2280 ppm. It is not a Class B poison. Repeated exposures by inhalation in the range-finding studies—4 weeks, 6 hr a day, 5 days a week—demonstrate, however, that β-chloroprene does have cumulative toxicity. Range-finding inhalation studies in rats and hamsters at approximately 625, 160, and 40 ppm show toxic effects even at the lowest level. The primary effects seen at the low level were skin and eye irritation and weight loss in rats. At higher levels tissue damage, especially lung and liver, and mortality were observed. Hair loss was observed, primarily at the two highest levels in female rats. 

Aerosols; Animals; Body Weight/drug effects; Butadienes/toxicity; Chloroprene/administration & dosage/toxicity; Cricetinae; Eating/drug effects; Mesocricetus; Organ Size/drug effects; Time Factors; 126-99-8