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Genotoxicity and Potential Carcinogenicity of 2,4,6-TNT Trinitrotoluene: Structural and Toxicological Considerations

Genotoxicity and Potential Carcinogenicity of 2,4,6-TNT Trinitrotoluene: Structural and Toxicological Considerations

Hermann M Bolt, Gisela H Degen, Susanne B Dorn, Sabine Plöttner, Volker Harth

Rev Environ Health. Oct-Dec 2006;21(4):217-28.

PMID: 17243348

Abstract:

Environmental contamination with 2,4,6-TNT (trinitrotoluene) represents a worldwide problem. Concern for carcinogenicity can be derived from chemically related compounds, especially the dinitrotoluenes. In the metabolism of TNT, the reductive routes are preponderant. The main urinary metabolites of TNT are 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene and 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene. In humans exposed to TNT, the formation of hemoglobin adducts of the amino-dinitrotoluenes is in general concordance with the ratio of urinary excretion. The variations in quantities of excreted metabolites among the different occupational cohorts studied are likely explained by the different routes of exposure to TNT, including dermal uptake. Most studies show that urinary excretion of the amino-dinitrotoluenes (4-amino-dinitrotoluene plus 2-amino-dinitrotoluene) in a range of 1 to 10 mg L(-1) (5-50 microM) are not uncommon--for instance in persons employed with the disposal of military waste. Trinitotoluene is mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, with and without exogenous metabolic activation. Mutagenic activity has been found in urine from workers who were occupationally exposed to TNT. An unpublished 2-year study was reported in 1984 by the IIT Research Institute, Chicago, IL. Fischer 344 rats were fed diets containing 0.4, 2.0, 10, or 50 mg/kg TNT per day. In the urinary bladder, hyperplasia (12 of 47 animals p < .01) and carcinoma (11 of 47 animals, p < .05) were observed at significant levels in high-dose (50 mg kg(-1)) females and in one or two females, respectively, at 10 mg kg(-1). Taking all the available evidence together, the appropriate precautions should be taken.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP19406510	4-Amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene		19406-51-0	Price
AP35572782	2-Amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene		35572-78-2	Price

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