p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfide, p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfoxide, and p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfone. I: Acute toxicity and bacterial mutagenicity studies

An acute toxicity battery was performed on a series of three chemicals (p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfide, p-chloro-phenyl methyl sulfoxide, and p-chlorophenyl methyl sulfone) which have been identified as ground water contaminants at the U.S. Army's Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Denver. The results indicate that these materials exhibit oral LD50 values in the ranges of 400–620 mg/kg in rats and 330–880 mg/kg in mice. Following dermal exposures, only the sulfide induced death in rabbits. This agent and the sulfoxide induced central nervous system depression for a period of up to 7 days postapplication. Skin irritation potencies in rabbit tests were in the order of sulfoxide > sulfone >> sulfide, whereas ocular test results revealed irritation potencies to be sulfoxide > sulfide > sulfone. Results of guinea pig testing indicated a lack of sensitization potential for all compounds. None of the test materials induced bacterial mutations in Salmonella (five strains) assays that employed Arochlor 1254- and phenobarb...