The effect of bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF) on reproduction in the rat has been investigated in two studies. Pregnant female rats were exposed by inhalation to 1000, 10 000, or 50 000 ppm BCF for six hours a day on days six to 15 of gestation (day ofmating = day 0). Exposure to 50 000 ppm BCF caused a reduction in maternal weight gain over the exposure period but there was no evidence of either teratogenicity or embryo/fetotoxicity at any concentration. In a study designed to assess the potential effect of BCF during a complete reproductive cycle male and female rats were exposed to 5000 ppm or 25 000 ppm BCF for six hours a day for five days a week for 10 weeks (males) or three weeks (females) before mating. Exposure to BCF continued during mating and up to day 20 of gestation for half the females which were subsequently allowed to litter and the development of their offspring monitored. The remaining females were removed from exposure to BCF after mating and killed on day 20 of gestation for examination of their uterine contents. There were no effects on adult fertility, pup numbers, survival, or pup development. It was concluded that BCF had no reproductive toxicity potential in the rat.Halogenated fire extinguishants have been used extensively since the early 1920s when carbon tetrachloride was used for this purpose. Since the 1950s, materials that are less toxic than carbon tetrachloride have been introduced, one being bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF, halon 1211). BCF is much less toxic than carbon tetrachloride, its major activity being effects on the central nervous system caused by exposure to high concentrations.' In addition to assessing the toxicity of brief exposures such as may be experienced during fire fighting it is important to assess the possible hazards to those employed in the manufacture of BCF and the filling of fire extinguishers. As part of this evaluation, the effect of BCF on embryonic development and reproduction in the rat has been examined. Materials and methods TEST MATERIALBCF was supplied by ICI Chemicals and Polymers Group as bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF). The sample conformed to plant specification being > 94% BCF with water as the major impurity, c 5%. For the teratology study, female rats weighing between 190 and 320 g (about 9-14 weeks old) were mated overnight and the following morning vaginal smears were taken for confirmation of mating. The day on which spermatozoa were detected in vaginal smears was designated day 0 of pregnancy.For the reproduction study, young adult male and female rats which were sexually mature at the start of the exposure period were used (males eight weeks old 200-290 g, females seven weeks old 120-170 g). EXPOSURE CHAMBERSThe chambers had an internal volume of 3-4 m3 and were constructed of stainless steel.2 Air entered at the front of each chamber and was extracted at the back. Within each chamber were six cage levels and excreta trays that rotated at a rate of 0-5 revolutions a minute. The air flow through each chamber was 300 I/mi...
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