Chromium trichloride

Acute Toxicity: other routes

Administrative data

Endpoint:

acute toxicity: other routes

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1983

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: reliable paper published in a peer-reviewed journal; however, some experimental details are lacking and thus results are considered reliable with restrictions.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Differential toxicity and clearance kinetics of chromium(III) or (VI) in mice

Author:

W.G.Bryson and C.M.Goodall

Year:

1983

Bibliographic source:

Carcinogenesis Vol.4 No. 12 pp.1535 - 1539, 1983

Report date:

1983

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The acute toxicities of the chromium(III) nitrate, chloride and sulphate salts, chromium(VI) trioxide and potassium dichromate(VI) after i.p. injection were determined in NZC male mice according to Weil's method (Weil, C.S. (1952), Tables for convenient calculation of median-effective dose (LDa, or EDa) and instructions in their use, Biometrics, 8, 249-263.). The toxicities of chromium(III) trichloride and potassium dichromate(VI) were also re-determined in male and female (CxO) hybrid mice. The LD50 estimates (m3 = 3 day, md = distal or asymptotic, usually 10 day, estimates), and their confidence ranges, were calculated from Weil's tables, utilising at least 5 dose levels and 4 mice per level. Statistical comparisons were by Student's t-test.

GLP compliance:

no

Remarks:

pre-dates GLP requirement

Limit test:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Chromium trichloride

EC Number:

233-038-3

EC Name:

Chromium trichloride

Cas Number:

10025-73-7

Molecular formula:

Cl3Cr

IUPAC Name:

chromium trichloride

Constituent 2

Reference substance name:

Chromium(III) chloride, hexahydrate (1:3:6)

Cas Number:

10060-12-5

Molecular formula:

CrCl3.6H2O

IUPAC Name:

Chromium(III) chloride, hexahydrate (1:3:6)

Constituent 3

Reference substance name:

chromium trichloride hexahydrate

IUPAC Name:

chromium trichloride hexahydrate

Test material form:

solid: particulate/powder

Remarks:

migrated information: powder

Details on test material:

Chromium(III) trichloride (CrCl3.6HO) (AnalaR grade BDH) was dissolved in degassed distilled water and stood one week in a sealed flask to allow complete aquation (a slow process) to the hexaaquo chromium(III) ion, [Cr(H2O)6 ]3+.

Test animals

Species:

mouse

Strain:

other: CxO F1 hybrids

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

Mice were (CxO) F1 hybrids of both sexes from the original Cancer Research Department colonies. After weaning at age 4 weeks they were kept in polycarbonate cages (29 x 18 x 13 cm) with untreated wood shavings as litter in a room thermostatted at 22 °C and supplied with positive pressure, humidified and filtered ventilation. Mice were weighed and examined weekly. Treatments began at age 5 - 6 months.

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

intraperitoneal

Vehicle:

water

Details on exposure:

Single injection, intraperitoneal applying weil's method.

Doses:

7 dose levels were applied

No. of animals per sex per dose:

4 males and 4 females per dose level

Control animals:

no

Details on study design:

In this study also potassium dichromate was applied accordingly to the same mice strain and thus results can be compared. However, exposure to potassim dichromate was at neutral pH (>6) to prevent corrosive symptoms (potassium dichromate is a strong oxidiser at low pH). Chromium trichloride solutions in contrast had a pH of less than 2.5.

Statistics:

The LD50 estimates (m3 = 3 day, md = distal or asymptotic, usually 10 day, estimates), and their confidence ranges, were calculated from Weil's tables, utilising at least 5 dose levels and 4 mice per level. Statistical comparisons were by Student's t-test.

Results and discussion

Effect levels

Effect levels 1

Sex:

male

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Effect level:

49.2 mg/kg bw

Based on:

element

Remarks:

chromium

95% CL:

>= 35.3 - <= 68.6

Remarks on result:

other: concentrations were reported as µg Cr/g bw

Effect levels 2

Sex:

female

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Effect level:

42.2 mg/kg bw

Based on:

element

Remarks:

chromium

95% CL:

>= 30.2 - <= 58.8

Remarks on result:

other: concentrations were reported as µg Cr/g bw

Mortality:

Chromium(VI) compounds had much higher acute toxicity, shown by the mean LD50 at 3 days (m3 of 15.4 µg/g, compared with 45.7 µg/g when chromium(III) salts were injected.

Clinical signs:

none reported

Body weight:

no details reported

Gross pathology:

no details reported

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

The intraperitoneal toxicity to mice was found being LD50 45.7 mg Cr/kg bw (i.e. 139 mg CrCl3/kg bw or 234 mg CrCl3.6H2O/kg bw respectively).

Executive summary:

The intraperitoneal toxicity to mice was investigated and found being LD50 45.7 mg Cr/kg bw (i.e. 139 mg CrCl3/kg bw or 234 mg CrCl3.6H2O/kg bw respectively). Female mice seemed to be slightly more sensitive, although not statisitically significant as reported by the authors. Comparison to chromium(VI) compounds applied in the same test design showed that Cr(VI) compounds apparently have a higher toxicity, whereas other chromium(III) compounds tested (chromium trinitrate and chromium(III) sulphate) showed similar toxicities.