Hematotoxic effects of 3,5-dinitro-4-chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene, a water contaminant

Three short-term studies of 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively, were made to investigate the nature of the anemia induced in rats by 3,5-dinitro-4-chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene (DNCTT). This compound is an intermediate in the synthesis of dinitroaniline herbicides and was detected as a contaminant of a water-bearing stratum in northern Italy. DNCTT was mixed in a powdered rodent diet at a level of 2000 ppm and administered to Wistar-derived rats. DNCTT was shown to produce a hemolytic anemia of rapid onset; packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration were decreased at all three treatment periods. Methemoglobin and reticulocyte count were increased in all the treated groups. The relative organ weights of the spleen and the liver were increased compared to those of the control groups. Spleen enlargement was also evident at the macroscopic examination, whereas the liver appearance was normal. Pearl's Prussian blue staining performed on the spleen and liver was highly positive in the spleen of treated rats, but no iron deposition was detected in the liver of treated rats.