P-CHLOROPHENYL METHYL SULFIDE, P-CHLOROPHENYL METHYL SULFOXIDE, AND P-CHLOROPHENYL METHYL SULFONE .1. ACUTE TOXICITY AND BACTERIAL MUTAGENICITY STUDIES

An acute toxicity battery was performed on a series of three chemicals (p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfide, p-chloro-phenyl methyl sulfoxide, and p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfone) which have been identified as ground w ater contaminants at the U.S. Army's Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Denve r. The results indicate that these materials exhibit oral LD50 values in the ranges of 400-620 mg/kg in rats and 330-880 mg/kg in mice. Foll owing dermal exposures, only the sulfide induced death in rabbits. Thi s agent and the sulfoxide induced central nervous system depression fo r a period of up to 7 days postapplication. Skin irritation potencies in rabbit tests were in the order of sulfoxide > sulfone >> sulfide, w hereas ocular test results revealed irritation potencies to be sulfoxi de > sulfide > sulfone. Results of guinea pig testing indicated a lack of sensitization potential for all compounds. None of the test materi als induced bacterial mutations in Salmonella (five strains) assays th at employed Arochlor 1254- and phenobarbital-induced S-9 rat liver act ivation systems. The most overt short-term effects following exposure to one or more of these agents are the ocular effects and the neurolog ic/lethal potentials following dermal or oral contact.