Mammalian Toxicity of Munitions Compounds. Phase III. Effects of Life-Time Exposure. Part III. Nitrocellulose

摘要

The effects of feeding nitrocellulose (NC) at levels up to 10% in the diet were studied in dogs, rats, and mice. A cotton control (fed 10% cotton linters) was included with each species. Ancillary studies included cytogenetic analysis and a three-generation reproduction study in rats. In all species, the NC appeared to be inert dietary bulk, since there was a dose-related increase in feed consumption. No other effects were seen in dogs. In rats and mice, those fed 10% fiber (NC or linters) had decreased weight gain. This was not sufficient to be adverse except in some rats with high nutrient demand from pregnancy and lactation. Some mice fed 10% fiber died early of intestinal impaction from the fiber. Some mice died about month 9 of feeding due to an unexplained mechanism. All effects, except the Month 9 deaths in mice, were at least as severe in animals fed 10% cotton linters as in those fed 10% NC, and are ascribed to the effects of the fiber itself. Because of this lack of toxicity from large doses of ingested NC, we conclude that water quality criteria should be based on physicl factors, such as clarity and total suspended solids. (Author)