In vitro cytotoxicity of certain munition nitroaromatic compounds. (Reannouncement with new availability information)

Nitroaromatic compounds are important to a variety of industries including the manufacture of dyes, pigments, insecticides, textiles, plastics, resins, photographic developers, pharmaceuticals, fuel additives, and munitions (Centers for Disease Control 1981, International Labor Office 1983). During the manufacture of the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (2,4,6-TNT) more than thirty nitroaromatic compounds can result from nitration of impurities found in the toluene starting material or as by-products of the reaction process itself. While many of the compounds are removed and subsequently destroyed during purification of the explosive; others, surviving as contaminants in the munition product or as wastestream constituents, can enter the environment as a result of industrial spills, disposal and cleanup activities, or in wastewater discharge.