| Abstract |
Benzophenone is used as a photoinitiator, a fragrance enhancer, an ultraviolet curing agent, and, occasionally, as a flavor ingredient; it is also used in the manufacture of insecticides, agricultural chemicals, and pharmaceuticals and is an additive for plastics, coatings, and adhesives. In 14-week studies conducted to determine the toxicity of benzophenone, groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats and B6C3F mice were given 0, 1,250, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, or 20,000 ppm benzophenone in feed. These exposure concentrations resulted in the following average daily doses, 75, 150, 300, 700, or 850 mg benzophenone per kilogram body weight for male rats; 80, 160, 300, 700, or 1,000 mg/kg for female rats; 200, 400, 800, 1,600, or 3,300 mg/kg for male mice; and 270, 540, 1,000, 1,900, or 4,200 mg/kg for female mice. Animals were evaluated for clinical pathology, reproductive system effects, liver cytochrome P(sub 450) effects, and histopathology. Genetic toxicity studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium and mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. |
