SUBCHRONIC DERMAL TOXICITY STUDY OF TRIETHANOLAMINE IN C3H HEJ MICE/

Triethanolamine (TEA) was applied to the skin of male and female C3H m ice (15 per sex per dose group) three times weekly for 95 days (37 app lications). TEA was administered at concentrations of 0 (acetone vehic le), 10, 33 and 100% (undiluted) in a Volume of 50 mu l. The approxima te daily doses of TEA were 0.14, 0.46 or 2.0 g/kg per male and 0.16, 0 .54 or 2.3 g/kg per female, respectively. The animals were weighed wee kly and observed for clinical signs including skin irritation. 10 mice per sex per dose group were designated for clinical chemistry and hae matology at terminal killing. Complete autopsies were performed, and t he liver, kidneys, brain, heart, spleen, thymus and testes were weighe d. Histopathology was performed on tissues from control and high-dose mice and on target organs. Treatment-related effects were limited to a slight epidermal hyperplasia at the site of application at all TEA co ncentrations. The results indicate that TEA caused a mild local reacti on at all concentrations tested, but did not cause systemic toxicity u nder these conditions.