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Appendices 1-18 to: Report on the Health Effects of Selected Pesticide Coformulants

122     Human toxicity

122.1     Single and repeated dose toxicity

122.1.1     Inhalation

Verbal memory performance and alertness were affected in 23 workers exposed to cyclohexanone at concentrations of 38 to 158 ppm (150 - 630 mg/m³) as well as to minor amounts of acetone, toluene, and methylethylketone (50-600 ppm) for at least 4 years (Milanovic et al. 1990 – quoted from A&H 1999 and from IUCLID 2000).

Seventy-five workers in a Romanian furniture factory exposed for 14 years to cyclohexanone in a wood coating procedure were monitored over 12 consecutive 8-hour shifts. Exposure levels were measured to be from 162 to 368 mg/m³ (40-92 ppm). The exposed workers reported the following CNS-symptoms more often than a control group of 85 workers: Mood swings (18% with 7% in controls), irritability (22% with 14% in controls), forgetfulness (22% with 5.8% in controls), insomnia (33% with 12% in controls), and headaches (40% with 21% in controls). Muscle, joint and bone ache was reported for 16-26%. Nerve conduction velocity and latency time in nervi medianus, ulnaris and peroneus were delayed, and amplitude was decreased. Reaction-time to visual and auditory stimuli was reduced. The authors concluded that a number of effects, including effects on the central and the peripheral nervous systems and rheumatic effects, are related to cyclohexanone exposure, but stress that the results on nerve conduction measurements should be challenged further because of limitations in the methodology. (Mitran et al. 1997).

122.1.2     Oral intake

A 15-year old boy had CNS-effect and went into shock after drinking cyclohexanone. Metabolic acidosis, chemical hepatitis, renal insufficiency, muscular degeneration, and myoglobinuria developed. No information is given on the amount ingested or reversibility of the effects. (Zuckerman et al. 1998 - quoted from A&H 1999).

122.1.3     Irritation

10 persons exposed by inhalation for 3-5 minutes to concentrations of 50 ppm (204 mg/m³) cyclohexanone complained about irritation of the throat. At 75 ppm (306 mg/m³), irritation of eyes and nose was also reported. Most subjects found 25 ppm (102 mg/m³) tolerable. (Nelson et al. 1943 – quoted from ACGIH 1991, A&H 1999 and from IUCLID 2000).

Irritation of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin was observed in 24%, 26%, and 13%, respectively, of 75 furniture factory workers exposed for 14 years to 162-368 mg/m³ cyclohexanone (Mitran et al. 1997).

122.1.4     Sensitisation

Patch testing of five painters established cyclohexanone resin as the cause of their allergic contact dermatitis. One of the patients was patch-tested with cyclohexanone itself with a negative result. (Bruze et al 1988).

A case report has described allergic contact dermatitis caused by pure cyclohexanone used as PVC adhesive. The woman affected had been working with the substance for 7 years. She did not react to cyclohexanone resin or to colophony. (Sanmartín & de la Cuadra 1992).

122.2     Toxicity to reproduction

No data were found.

122.3     Mutagenic and genotoxic effects

No data were found.

122.4     Carcinogenic effects

No data were found.

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