Toxicity studies of 1,3-dichlorobenzene in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats received 1,3-dichlorobenzene daily by corn oil gavage for 10 or 90 consecutive days. The 10-day study doses were 0, 37, 147, 368 and 735 mg/kg; the 90-day study doses were 0, 9, 37, 147 and 588 mg/kg. In the 10-day study, there was a significant depression of body weight in both sexes at 735 mg/kg. Liver weights were significantly increased in both sexes at 368 and 735 mg/kg. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in both sexes at 368 and 735 mg/kg. Histopathological evaluation revealed centrolobular hepatocellular degeneration at 368 mg/kg in males and 735 mg/kg in females. In the 90-day study, body weights were significantly depressed in both sexes at 588 mg/kg. Normalization of food and water consumption by final body weight indicated that at 588 mg/kg both sexes had increased food and water consumption relative to controls. Absolute and relative liver weights were significantly increased in both sexes at 147 and 588 mg/kg. Relative kidney weights were significantly higher in both sexes at 588 mg/kg and in males at 147 mg/kg. Serum cholesterol and calcium levels were significantly elevated over controls in females at 37, 147, and 588 mg/kg, and in males at all dose levels. Histopathological evaluation at 147 and/or 588 mg/kg demonstrated liver and thyroid lesions in both sexes, and pituitary and kidney lesions in males. A NOAEL was not firmly established.