Toxicity of trichloroethylene following inhalation and drinking contaminated water

The neurobehavioural effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) were studied in rat s following administration of the solvent orally (350, 700 and 1400 ppm in drinking water for 90 days) and through inhalation (376 ppm for 4 h a day, 5 days per week for 180 days). Various aspects of spontaneous locomotor act ivity were assessed at different periods after exposure through either of t he routes. Oral exposure to TCE had no significant effect on spontaneous lo comotor activity or cognitive ability, whereas inhalation to the solvent re sulted in an increase in the distance travelled and horizontal activity cou nts at day 30 but a decrease at day 60 of exposure. The time spent in ambul atory and stereotypic movements as well as the number of stereotypic moveme nts were enhanced significantly only at day 30. The resting time was decrea sed at day 30 but enhanced at day 60 of exposure. The learning ability was not affected significantly up to day 180. The results highlight the neuroto xic potential of inhalation exposure to TCE. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.