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TERATOGENIC ACTIVITY OF TRICHLOROACETIC ACID
Citation:
Smith, M., J. Randall, E. Read, AND J. Stober. TERATOGENIC ACTIVITY OF TRICHLOROACETIC ACID. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-89/264.
Description:
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)is a by-product of the chlorine disinfection of water containing natural organic material. It is detectable finished drinking water at levels comparable to the trihalomethanes (30-60). TCA is also formed in vivo after ingestion of hypochlorite and has been identified as a major metabolite of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichlroethylene. The developmental effects of TCA were evaluated in the pregnant Long-Evans rat. Animals were dosed by oral intubation on gestation days 6-15 (plug = 0) with 0, 330, 800, 1,200, or 1,800 mg/kg/day. The vehicle control was distilled water. Maternal observations included clinical signs weight change, and gross evaluation of organ weights and uterine contents necropsy (day 20). Live fetuses were examined for external, skeletal, and soft tissue malformations. There were no maternal deaths associated with toxicity prior to sacrifice. Might gain during treat.bent was reduced at 80 1,200, and 1,800 mg/kg. Spleen and kidney weights were increased in dose-related manner. The mean percent of resorbed implants per litter was 34, 62, and 90 at 800, 1,200, and 1,800 mg/kg, respectively. Live fetus shored dose dependent reductions in weight and length. The mean frequency of salt tissue malformations ranged from 9% at the low dose to 977% at the high dose. These were principally in the cardiovascular system (interventricular septal defect, levocardia). Skeletal malformations were found only 1,200 and 1,800 mg/kg and were mainly in the orbit. Based on these observations TCA was considered to be developmentally toxic in the pregnant rat at doses of 330 mg/kg and above.