Toxicity assessment of dimethyl carbonate following 28 days repeated inhalation exposure

Abstract

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) has been used as a reagent in methylation reactions, can be used as paints, coatings, and adhesives, and is a chemical that is being used increasing, which poses a health hazard to workers who handle it. So, the toxic reactions of F344 rats with inhalation exposure to 600, 1600, and 5000 ppm concentrations for 6 hours, 5 days a week, 4 weeks was evaluated. During the exposure period, general signs were observed, body weight and food consumption were measured, and hematologic and blood biochemical tests, organ weight measurements, necropsy, and histopathological examination were performed after the end of exposure. During the exposure period, dimethyl carbonate was exposed to an average of 599.26±31.40, 1614.64±80.79 and 5106.83±297.13 ppm in the chambers of the T1, T2 and T3 test groups, respectively. During the test period, general signs, weight change, food consumption, organ weight measurement, necropsy, and histopathological examination did not show any effects related to exposure to the test substance. However, as a result of blood and blood biochemical tests, an increase in AST, ALP, APTT, and PT levels was observed. From these results, it is judged that liver is the target organ when repeated inhalation exposure of dimethyl carbonate, the test substance, for 4 weeks, and the exposure-related effects of the test substance were observed at PT and ALP levels up to 600 ppm exposure concentration, but NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) was determined to be less than 600 ppm because it was not judged as an adverse effect.