Environmental Toxicology and Health Effects Associated with Dinitrotoluene Exposure

Abstract

Dinitrotoluenes (DNTs) are nitroaromatic compounds appearing as pale yellow crystalline solids at room temperature. Dinitrotoluenes exist as a mixture of 2 to 6 isomers, with 2,4-DNT, and 2,6-DNT being the most significant. About 500 persons are estimated to be potentially exposed yearly to 2,4-DNT and 2,6-DNT during the production of munitions and explosives. The main route of human exposure at ammunition facilities is inhalation, but dermal contact and inadvertent ingestion can also be substantial. In factory workers, exposure to DNTs has been linked to many adverse health effects, including cyanosis, vertigo, headache, metallic taste, dyspnea, weakness and lassitude, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Other symptoms including pain or parasthesia in extremities, abdominal discomfort, tremors, paralysis, chest pain, and unconsciousness have also been reported. The primary targets of DNT toxicity are the hematopoietic system (pallor, cyanosis, anemia, and leukocytosis), the cardiovascular system (ischemic heart disease), the nervous system (muscular weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, and tingling pains in the extremities) and the reproductive system (reduction of sperm counts, alteration of sperm morphology, and aspermatogenesis). An association between DNT exposure and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinomas and subcutaneous tumors in rats, as well as renal tumors in mice, has been established. Epidemiologic studies of DNT toxicity have been limited to small groups of workers who had been occupationally exposed at various ammunitions production facilities. Clearly defining the health effects of DNTs with a high degree of confidence has therefore been difficult because of the multigenic nature of occupational exposure. In an attempt to update the toxicologic profile of the DNTs, we hereby provide a critical review of the environmental and toxicologic pathology of DNTs, with a special emphasis on their potential implications for public health.

Interactions of Nitroaromatic Compounds with the Mammalian Selenoprotein Thioredoxin Reductase and the Relation to Induction of Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells

“…Many nitroaromatic compounds are environmental pollutants or drugs, causing a number of toxic effects on the hematopoietic, cardiovascular, nervous, or reproductive systems (27,29,30,49,50). A major mechanism for the cytotoxicity is believed to involve reductive activation by cellular enzymes with subsequent redox cycling, provoking oxidative stress, a feature shared with various cytotoxic quinones.…”

Biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by different plant species

“…Toxicity of these compounds to humans and animals has been documented (Tchounwou et al, 2003;Karnjanapiboonwong et al, 2009;Xu and Jing, 2012). DNT isomers are known to cause cancer, to lower sperm number and to reduce fertility in laboratory animals (Rickert et al, 1984).…”

Dinitrotoluene exposure in the copper mining industry and renal cancer: a case-cohort study

“…To date, evidence from animal studies as well as from epidemiological studies particularly points to a potential aetiological role of DNT exposure on renal and urothelial cancer; for a summary of the epidemiological findings, please see Seidler et al 9 Brüning et al 4––6 found increased renal cell carcinoma risks as well as toxic nephropathy with proximal tubular damage in DNT-exposed underground mining workers in the Mansfield copper mining industry; however, numbers were low. In the mining industry as well as in ammunition facilities,10 there are two main routes of occupational DNT exposures: by inhalation of explosion fumes and by direct skin contact during handling of DNT-containing explosive sticks.…”