Studies on the acute toxicity primary irritancy and genotoxic potential of 1,3,5-triacryloylhexahydro-s-triazine (TAHT).

TAHT (1,3,5-triacryloylhexahydro-s-triazine), a reactive chemical coupling agent, was highly toxic following a single peroral dose of an aqueous suspension (10% w/v) to Wistar rats, or following application of TAHT in dichloromethane (DCM) solution (10% w/v) to covered skin of New Zealand rabbits. It was moderately toxic when applied dermally as an aqueous paste. Ocular contact with 25 mg of TAHT in a 5% aqueous suspension, or of 0.5 mg of TAHT in a 10% (w/v) solution in DCM, produced severe corneal damage, iritis and blepharo-conjunctivitis. A 30-min exposure of uncovered rabbit skin to 1 mg of TAHT in a 10% (w/v) aqueous suspension produced only slight skin irritation. However, 24-h exposures to TAHT on covered skin produced erythema, edema, ecchymoses, scabs, and death depending upon dosage and vehicle. In vitro genotoxicity studies revealed no positive effects upon gene mutations (HGPRT locus) or on sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) of CHO cells exposed to TAHT with and without a rat-liver S9 metabolic activation system. TAHT did not increase the levels of [3H]thymidine incorporation in a test for unscheduled DNA synthesis with primary rat hepatocytes. In contrast, substantial increases in the number of chromosome breaks and rearrangements were observed in chromosome preparations used for the SCE analyses. The clastogenic activity of TAHT was confirmed in an in vitro chromosome aberration test with CHO cells. Treatment-related increases in chromosome breakage were observed at two independent sampling times and positive effects did not depend upon the presence or absence of a metabolic activation system. Clastogenic activity of TAHT was also demonstrated in vivo in a micronucleus test using mouse peripheral polychromatic erythrocytes. Significant, treatment-related increases in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were obtained at two of three sampling times. The high degree of mammalian toxicity, severe eye irritancy and the in vitro and in vivo clastogenicity indicate that TAHT should be handled as a hazardous material using suitable caution and protective equipment.