USE OF THE LETHAL BODY BURDEN IN THE EVALUATION OF MIXTURE TOXICITY

In many mixtures of xenobiotics in the field situation, narcosis is th e predominant mechanism of toxic action. Earlier studies have found th at narcotic chemicals are additive based on exposure concentration. In this study it is revealed that the narcotic chemicals 1,2- and 1,4-di chlorobenzene are additive on a lethal body burden level. This applica bility of the lethal body burden in risk assessment of mixtures of unk nown chemicals is discussed, and it is compared with other methods of managing mixtures of unknown chemical composition. (C) 1996 Academic P ress.