Subchronic Inhalation Studies on Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (3.1 Oil)

Abstract

3.1 Oil, an oligomer of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), is an inert, nonflammable, saturated and hydrogen-free chlorofluorocarbon oil of interest to the Department of Defense (DOD) as a potential hydraulic fluid. To determine the potential subchronic inhalation toxicity of this CTFE oligomer, male and female F-344 rats were exposed to air only or to 0.25, 0.50, or 1.00 mg/l of CTFE oligomer in 65 6-h inhalation exposures over a 90-day period. A dose-dependent depression in body weight gains was noted in male rats only Serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities examined at the conclusion of the study indicated a treatment-related effect in the male test rats, but not the female test rats. Notable concentration-related increases (p < .07) in relative kidney and liver weights occurred in both sexes of rats at all test concentrations. The male rats showed slight to minimal hyaline droplet formation in the kidney proximal tubule epithelium. Pronounced cy-tomegaly of hepatocytes was the predominant lesion recognized.