Toxicity of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons and Related Compounds

Abstract

Various chlorinated technical compounds, namely, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophen-oxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), and European chlorinated biphenyls (Phenoclor DP6 and Clophen A60), have been found to be contaminated with trace amounts of chlorinated dibenzofurans or chlorinated dibenzodioxins. Toxic fat which produces hydropericardium in chickens also contains chlorinated dibenzodioxins. These and other technical chlorinated compounds such as the technical pentachlorophenol have been implicated in causing chloracne, liver disease, teratogenicity, x-disease in cattle, and chick edema. The literature on the toxicity of the chlorinated technical compounds is reviewed. It is mentioned that 2,4,5-T and the chlorinated biphenyls also induce porphyria. Whether the various disease entities are caused by the contaminants, combinations of the chemical and its contaminants or by the chemicals themselves needs further evaluation.