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Immunotoxicological profile of Chloramine in female B6C3FI mice when administered in the drinking water for 28 days
Citation:
Guo, T. L., D. R. Germolec, B. L. Collins, R. W. LUEBKE, W. Auttachoat, M. J. Smith, M. J. Smith, AND K. L. White, Jr. Immunotoxicological profile of Chloramine in female B6C3FI mice when administered in the drinking water for 28 days. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY. Taylor & Francis, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, 8(4):381-8, (2012).
Impact/Purpose:
Monochloramine is an alternative to chlorine for water disinfection. The primary focus of toxicity reseach related to chloramine has been on disinfection byproducts. This study was done to assess potential chloramine immunotoxicity at drinking water concentrations ranging from 2 to 200 ppm for 28 days; EPA limits total monochloramines to 4 ppm. Exposure did not affect immune function at any exposure level.
Description:
Monochloramine has been used to provide a disinfecting residual in water distribution systems where it is difficult to maintain a free chlorine residual or where disinfection by-product formation is of concern. The goal of this study was to characterize the immunotoxic effects of chloramine in female B6C3F1 mice when administered via the drinking water. Mice were exposed to chloramine-containing deionized tap water at 2, 10, 20, 100 and 200 ppm for 28 days. No statistically significant differences in drinking water consumption, body weight, body weight gain, organ weights, or hematological parameters between the exposed and control animals were observed during the experimental period. There were no changes in the percentages and numbers of total B cells, T cells, CD4+T cells, CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells and macrophages in the spleen. Exposure to chloramine did not affect the IgM antibody-forming cell response to sheep red blood cells (sRBC) or anti-sRBC IgM antibody production. Minimal effects, judged to be biologically insignificant, were observed in the mixed leukocyte response and natural killer cell activity. In conclusion, chloramine produced no toxicological and immunotoxic effects in female B6C3F1 mice when administered for 28 days in the drinking water at concentrations ranging from 2 to 200 ppm.
