ISOPROPANOL - SUMMARY OF TSCA TEST RULE STUDIES AND RELEVANCE TO HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

The toxicity of isopropanol (IPA) has been extensively studied as a re sult of a Test Rule under Section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Ac t. In general, the data showed that IPA has a low order of acute and c hronic toxicity; does not produce adverse effects on reproduction; is neither a teratogen, a selective developmental toxicant, nor a develop mental neurotoxicant; and is not genotoxic or an animal carcinogen. IP A is, however, a potential hazard for transient central nervous system depression at high exposure levels. In addition, IPA produced effects to several rodent toxicity endpoints at high dose levels (i.e., motor activity, male mating index, and exacerbated renal disease) which are of unclear relevance to human health. The data generated by these stu dies confirmed that IPA acts as a typical short-chain alcohol in mamma lian biological systems. It produces a significant narcotic effect upo n exposure at high levels for extended periods of time, with no irreve rsible effects even after repeated exposure, which is consistent with other short-chain alcohols. The metabolism of IPA appears equivalent a cross species with rapid conversion to acetone and carbon dioxide. Ove rall, these studies demonstrate IPA exposure is a low potential hazard to human health. This information will allow for an improved assessme nt of the human health risks hom IPA exposure. (C) 1996 Academic Press , Inc.