Acute, subacute and subchronic inhalation toxicity of cyclopentene

Abstract

Summary. Cyclopentene was evaluated for its acute, subacute and subchronic inhalation toxicity. The LC50 values for male and female rats after 4-hr inhalation of cyclopentene vapours are higher than 8110 ppm. The daily exposure of rats to concentrations of 870 and 8110 ppm for 6 hrs/day, 5 times/week for 3 weeks resulted only in decreased body weight gains of the female animals exposed to concentrations of 8110 ppm. Male and female rats were exposed to daily concentrations of 112, 317 or 1139 ppm for 6 hrs/day, 5 times/week for 12 weeks. These concentrations were tolerated without any detectable toxicological effects. Short-term exposure of humans revealed a tolerable concentration of 10-15 ppm only. The results are discussed in relation to the possibility of establishing a maximal allowable concentration.