The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., ad hoc Bisphenol A Task Group determined that freshwater and saltwater environmental effects testing on bisphenol A should be conducted. This decision was based upon the nation's high production capacity for bisphenol A, which is manufactured at many sites, its potential for entering the environment in substantial quantities and the general lack of relevant ecological effects data. The freshwater test results were as follows: the 96‐h EC50 algal toxicity to Selenastrum capricornutum was 2.7 mg/L based on cell count, and 3.1 mg/L based on cell volume; the 48‐h EC50 to the invertebrate Daphnia magna was 10 (9.2–11) mg/L; and the 96‐h LC50s to the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, was 4.7 (4.0–5.5) mg/L in a static test and 4.6 (3.6 to 5.4) mg/L in a flow‐through test. The saltwater test results were as follows: the 96‐h EC50 algal toxicity to the diatom Skeletonema costatum was 1.0 mg/L based on cell count and relative fluorescence, and 1.8 mg/L based on chlorophyll a content; the 96‐h LC50 to the mysid Mysidopsis bahia was 1.1 (0.92 to 1.2) mg/L; and the 96‐h LC50 to the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia, was 9.4 (8.3 to 11) mg/L. According to current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard evaluation procedures, bisphenol A was moderately to slightly toxic to the fish and invertebrates tested, with LC50 or EC50 values of from 1.1 to 10 mg/L. These data did not trigger freshwater or saltwater chronic tests. The acute toxicity data together with the fact that bisphenol A rapidly biodegrades in surface waters indicate a low potential for chronic exposure or toxicity.

Para-Nitrophenol Sodium Salt (PNSP) has relatively low acute inhalation toxicity; the 4-hr Approximate Lethal Concentration in rats is greater than 4.7 mg/l. One subacute study was conducted at 0, 0.34 and 2.47 mg PNSP/l for ten 6-hr exposures. Darker urine, proteinuria and elevated creatinine and SGOT were seen after exposure and were still evident after 14 days recovery. Methemoglobinemia also was seen and was reversible at 0.34 mg/l after 14 days. In addition, exposure to 2.47 mg/l caused elevated erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit. A second subacute study at 0.03 and 0.13 mg PNSP/l showed reversible methemoglobinemia only at 0.13 mg/l. The repeated dose no-observable effect level was 0.03 mg/l. No compound-related pathologic changes were noted in any of the studies.

No abstract

This study measured postapplication exposure levels of fragrance materials in a surrogate air freshener formulation in an environmentally-controlled exposure room (ECER). A five-s spray was released to simulate normal consumer use conditions. Time-course airborne fragrance material levels were sampled with Tenax tubes, and aerosol size distributions were monitored with a TSI 3320 aerodynamic particle sizer. Triplicate experiments were performed for each of the control/test substances. The control substance (unfragranced formulation) experiments indicated that the airborne fragrance materials were not detected, suggesting that the base propellant formulation did not interfere with the sampling procedure or analytical results. The test substance experiments found that the higher the volatility of the fragrance material, the higherthe airborne fragrance concentration within the ECER. In the adult breathing zone height, the maximum concentrations of the nine fragrance materials ranged from 108 to 347 microg/m3 during the first minute postapplication. In the child breathing zone height, the maximum fragrance material concentrations ranged from 125 to 362 microg/m3 during 2-6 min postapplication. Particle size distributions indicated that approximately 60-70% of the generated aerosols were less than 1 microm aerodynamic diameter. Initial peak particle mass concentrations (<5 microm) were 800-1000 microg/m3 during the first minute postapplication. Following initial peak concentrations, there was approximately 10-15 min of fluctuation, and then particle levels decayed gradually and exponentiallyto near background levels. Exposure to the test formulation would originate from two components: particle-bound and vapor-phase fragrance materials. Particle-bound fragrance exposure accounted for approximately 47% and 72% of the total exposures during the first minute postapplication period in the adult and child breathing zone heights, respectively.

Perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) is a highly toxic, colorless gas. The 4-hour Approximate Lethal Concentration in male rats is 0.5 ppm (v/v). The median lethal concentration (LC50) was calculated for groups of 10 male Crl:CD rats, exposed, nose-only, for either 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2, 5, or 10 minutes to various concentrations of PFIB. Atmospheric concentrations of PFIB were determined by gas chromatography (electron capture detector). No mortalities or signs of respiratory irritation were seen during exposure. Weight loss and respiratory impairment were evident up to 48 hours post-exposure. Affected rats either died with gross pathological signs of pulmonary congestion or recovered with no apparent residual effects. The 0.25-minute LC50 was 361 ppm (321--415 ppm, 95% Confidence Limits); the 10-minute LC50 was 17 ppm (15--19 ppm, 95% Confidence Limits). The steep slope of the concentration-mortality curve at each time interval reflected the narrow range of concentrations that produced mortality (LC1-LC99). In addition, a "Concentration x Time = Constant" relationship was apparent from 0.25 to 10 minutes.