Mercapturic acid excretion by rats following inhalation exposure to 1,3-dichloropropene

Rats were exposed to 1,3-dichloropropene (DCP), a commonly used agricultural nematicide, by inhalation to assess the relationship between DCP concentration and the urinary excretion of the mercapturic acid of cis-DCP (3C-NAC). The nose-only exposure system that was used for simultaneously exposing up to four rodents is described. This apparatus provided for generation and monitoring of relative humidity and test vapor concentration. Animals were exposed for 1 hr to concentrations of up to 789 ppm DCP. Urine was collected for 24 hr after exposure. The quantity of 3C-NAC contained in the urine collections exhibited an exposure concentration-dependent increase from 0 to 284 ppm DCP. However, the amount of 3C-NAC was no greater for animals exposed to 398 or 789 ppm DCP than for animals exposed to 284 ppm DCP.