Subchronic toxicity study of 1,3-dichloropropanone in Sprague-Dawley rats.

1,3-Dichloropropanone (1,3-DCP) has been identified as a by-product of the chlorination of water and thus a potential contaminant in drinking water. Since little was known of its oral toxicity, subchronic exposure studies were conducted with male and female Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to 1,3-DCP in drinking water at 0, 5, 65, or 125 ppm for 90 days. Evaluations included mortality, clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, hematology, clinical chemistry, organ weights, gross pathology, and histopathology. No significant organ toxicity was detected although an aversion to drinking 1,3-DCP treated water was observed at 65 and 125 ppm. The only consistent change was a decrease in BUN at 125 ppm in both sexes. Based on a decrease in BUN levels and decreased water consumption, 5 ppm (0.5 mg/kg/day) was considered the NOAEL.