Acute and repeated vapor exposure toxicology of 3-(methylthio)propionaldehyde

Abstract

Because of its vapor pressure (0.6 torr at 20 C) there is a potential for vapor exposure to 3-(methylthio)propionaldehyde (3-MTP) vapor. Liquid 3-MTP may contain trace amounts of acrolein (up to 0.1%), and therefore acrolein vapor may also be present. Acute exposure (24 min to 4 h) of rats to substantially saturated atmospheres of 3-MTP generated statically (measured concentrations of 261-951 ppm) resulted in marked ocular and respiratory irritancy followed by death. Deaths occurred either during exposure or a few days postexposure, depending on exposure time. Measured acrolein vapor concentrations in these static studies were 16.7-216 ppm. In contrast, when substantially saturated vapor atmospheres were generated dynamically (277-320 ppm 3-MTP) only minor transient signs of irritancy were present, and only 1/40 exposed animals died. Acrolein vapor concentrations ranged 0-6.8 ppm. These findings indicate that the toxicity associated with acute static exposures to 3-MTP vapor was due to accumulated acrolein vapor, and that 3-MTP per se has a low order of acute vapor inhalation toxicity. In a first 9-d repeated vapor exposure study (6 h/d) rats were exposed to 0, 23.6, 96.8 or 246.2 ppm 3-MTP vapor; the mean acrolein concentration was 1.34 ppm (range 1.08-1.72 ppm). There were no mortalities, but exposure concentration-related indications of toxicity were present. These included reduced body weights, hematology (increased lymphocytes), serum chemistry (reduced total protein and globulin), and respiratory tract histopathology. The latter consisted mainly of squamous metaplasia in the anterior nasal passages at all concentrations, being minimal at 23.6 ppm. At the high concentration there was also olfactory atrophy and squamous metaplasia in the larynx, trachea, and larger bronchi; 23.6 ppm was a threshold effect level. The respiratory tract histopathology was compatible with exposure to acrolein vapor. In a second 9-d study, rats were exposed to 0, 0.47, 4.99 or 50.5 ppm (6 h/d); no acrolein could be detected in the chamber air samples. There were no differences between the controls (air alone) and 3-MTP exposed animals with respect to signs, body weights, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and gross and microscopic pathology. Without detectable acrolein vapor, 50.5 ppm 3-MTP was a no observable effects level.