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Toxicological information

Repeated dose toxicity: inhalation

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
short-term repeated dose toxicity: inhalation
Type of information:
migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
2010-08-31 to 2010-01-29
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: see 'Remark'
Remarks:
The reliability of this study for the substance tested is a K1, but in application of read-across to a different substance ECHA’s guidance specifies that the score can be a maximum of K2. Due to higher water solubility and greater in vitro bioaccessibility in synthetic alveolar, lysosomal, and interstitial fluids simulating inhalation exposure for the source substance, tungsten blue oxide (TBO) as compared to the target substance (tungsten metal) and lack of toxicity from acute toxicity studies for the target and source substances, toxicity data on the target substance is expected to represent a worse case, so read-across is appropriate between these substances. In addition, read-across is appropriate for this endpoint because the classification and labelling for human health toxicity endpoints is the same for the source and target substances, the PBT/vPvB profile is the same, and the dose descriptors are, or are expected to be, sufficiently similar or more conservative for the target substance. For more details, refer to the attached description of the read-across approach.
Cross-reference
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
reference to same study

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
study report
Title:
Unnamed
Year:
2010
Report date:
2010

Materials and methods

Test guideline
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 412 (Subacute Inhalation Toxicity: 28-Day Study)
GLP compliance:
yes
Limit test:
no

Test material

Constituent 1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Tungsten oxide
EC Number:
254-413-8
EC Name:
Tungsten oxide
Cas Number:
39318-18-8
Molecular formula:
WOn (n=2.99 to 2.90)
IUPAC Name:
oxotungsten
Details on test material:
- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Tungsten blue oxide (TBO)
- Physical state: dark blue heavy powder
- Analytical purity: 99.7-100%
- Storage condition of test material: stored at room temperature (approximately 15-30 degree C) in its original container

Test animals

Species:
rat
Strain:
Sprague-Dawley
Sex:
male/female
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories, (St. Constant, Canada)
- Age at study initiation: approximately 8 weeks
- Weight at study initiation: One day following receipt, body weight ranges of the first shipment of rats 226 to 279 g (males) and 146 to 173 g (females). One day following receipt, body weight range of the second shipment of male rats was 207 to 234 g.
- Fasting period before study: no food or water was provided during exposures.
- Housing: At the start of food consumption measurements, the rats were individually housed in clear polycarbonate rodent cages (Allentown Caging Equipment Co., Allentown, NJ).
-Diet: Certified Rodent Chow 5002 meal (PMI Nutrition International, Inc., Brentwood, MO) was provided ad libitum, except during inhalation exposures and scheduled fasting periods. Diet analysis reports received from the supplier are maintained with facility records. The diet contained no known contaminants at levels that would be expected to interfere with the test substance or the animals or confound interpretation of the study.
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): Each rodent cage was provided with an automatic watering system (Edstrom Industries, Inc., Waterford, WI) supplying fresh city of Chicago water without additional treatment ad libitum, except during inhalation exposures.
- Acclimation period: The animals were quarantined for 2 weeks; To condition the animals for placement and restraint in the nose-only exposure tubes, and reduce stress during the exposure phase, the animals were acclimated to the restraining tubes during a three-day acclimation period. Animals were restrained for 1/4 (1.5 hours), 1/2 (3 hours), and 3/4 (4.5 hours) of the daily exposure duration (6 hours) on three non-holiday weekdays before the animals were exposed.


ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 18.6 to 23.0 degree C
- Humidity (%): 25.1-64.6%
- Air changes (per hr): no data
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): automatic 12-hour light/dark cycle was maintained in the exposure and housing chamber laboratories.



IN-LIFE DATES: From: 2010-09-09 To: 2010-10-21

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:
inhalation: dust
Type of inhalation exposure:
nose only
Vehicle:
other: unchanged (no vehicle)
Remarks on MMAD:
MMAD / GSD: The mean MMADs of the test atmosphere were 2.63, 2.87 and 2.74 um with GSDs of 1.89, 1.94 and 1.92 for Groups 2 through 4, respectively.

Details on inhalation exposure:
GENERATION OF TEST ATMOSPHERE / CHAMBER DESCRIPTION
- Exposure apparatus: The nose-only chamber employed for test substance exposure was contained in an acrylic enclosure to isolate the exposure chamber and protect laboratory personnel. The dilution air to the atmosphere generator was of breathable quality and was filtered with a compressed air filter and a carbon absorber. The exhaust from the exposure chamber was moved through a particulate filter by a ring compressor and exhausted outside the building. Inlet and exhaust flows to and from the chamber were continuously monitored by rotameters.
- Method of holding animals in test chamber: During the inhalation exposures, the rats were restrained in nose-only exposure animal holding tubes (CH Technologies, Westwood, NJ). Animal tube loading and unloading, and tube insertion and removal from the exposure chamber were performed
according to standard procedures designed to minimize stress to study rats. At all times that rats were restrained in holders, they were observed
frequently and when necessary, action was taken to avoid injury, death, or improper exposure. Prior to the start of the exposure, rats were transferred from their housing cages to the nose-only holding tubes. Following confirmation of correct animal number, the animals in the holders were inserted into the ports of the exposure chambers. Following the exposure, the holders were removed. The rats were removed from the holders and returned to their home cages. Chamber port rotation occurred weekly.
- System of generating particulates/aerosols: Test atmospheres in the exposure chambers were generated by aerosolizing the test substance using a compressed air-operated Wright Dust Aerosol Generation System positioned over the chamber. Each inhalation exposure system was equipped with a separate aerosol generation system. The test substance was weighed out and packed into a dust reservoir daily. A constant speed rotating scraper separated a thin film of the test substance at the surface of the cake and delivered it into a dispersing unit, drawn in by aspiration and dispersed by a high velocity air jet. The resulting test atmosphere entered a mixing plenum where it was diluted with breathable quality compressed air to the target concentration prior to introduction to the nose-only inhalation exposure chamber.
- Air flow rate: The total airflow was set to produce an airflow range of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 L/min/exposure port.
- Method of particle size determination: The aerosol particle size distribution was monitored twice per week during the exposure phase of the study by an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) 3321 with Aerosol Diluter 3302A (both manufactured by TSI Inc., Shoreview, MN). The APS sizes particles in the range from 0.5 to 20 um using a time-of-flight technique that measures aerodynamic diameter in real time.


TEST ATMOSPHERE
- Brief description of analytical method used: The test atmosphere mass concentration was monitored gravimetrically by collecting gravimetric samples on pre-weighed glass fiber filters placed in closed-face filter holders. Samples were collected at a constant flow rate equal to the port flow of the delivery tube, and the total volume of air sampled was measured by a dry gas meter. Test atmosphere samples were collected at least three times during the exposure (generally, once during the first two hours, once during the middle two hours and once during the last two hours). The filter-collected samples were weighed and one filter per group per day (including the control to confirm the absence of test substance in the test atmosphere) was analyzed chemically to confirm the mass of TBO collected; percent recovery (chemical analysis concentration vs. gravimetric concentration) was calculated for each filter analyzed. Chemical analysis was conducted by means of ICP-mass spectrometry. In addition, the test atmosphere aerosol concentration in each chamber was monitored with a real-time aerosol sensor (model # pDR-1000AN, MIE, Inc. Bedford, MA). The sensors were employed only as a real-time indicator of short-term changes in aerosol concentration and were used in guiding laboratory personnel if concentration excursions were encountered.
- Samples taken from breathing zone: yes
Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
yes
Duration of treatment / exposure:
6 hours/day, 7 days/week for 28 days (14-day recovery period)
Frequency of treatment:
daily
Doses / concentrationsopen allclose all
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
0.08, 0.325 and 0.65 mg/L Air
Basis:
other: Target TBO Concentration
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
15.2, 61.8, 123.6 mg/kg/day
Basis:
other: Target Inhaled Concentration (calculated)
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
0.081, 0.331, and 0.652 mg/L
Basis:
other: mean concentrations determined gravimetrically
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
14.8, 60.2, and 118.8 mg/kg/day
Basis:
other: mean inhaled concentrations (calculated)
No. of animals per sex per dose:
5 animals/sex/group
Control animals:
yes, sham-exposed
Details on study design:
- Dose selection rationale:
- Rationale for animal assignment: Rats were assigned to groups using a computerized randomization procedure based on body weights using a "measure random" method that will produce similar group mean values.
- Group 1: Control
- Group 2: Low dose group
- Group 3: Mid dose group
- Group 4: High dose group
- Rationale for selecting satellite groups: Designated Subgroup
- Post-exposure recovery period in satellite groups: 14 days
Positive control:
no

Examinations

Observations and examinations performed and frequency:
CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: The toxicology animals were observed for mortality and moribundity once daily during quarantine, twice daily during the exposure period (once in the morning and once in the afternoon) and once daily during the recovery period.


DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: All animal groups (core and recovery) received a thorough clinical examination daily during the study. Clinical observations during the exposure period were recorded before the exposure and within one hour after exposure termination following removal from the exposure chamber and holding tube. All clinical signs of altered behavior, changes in coat condition, unusual discharge of body fluid, abnormal respirations, lesions or other relevant findings were recorded. Clinical observations were recorded using ToxData© System, version 2.1.E.5 (Pathology Data Systems, Basel, Switzerland).


BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Body weights of all animals were determined one day after receipt and on the day of randomization to facilitate test subject selection. Body weights were measured for core and recovery animals on study days 1, 8, 15, 22, 28 (body weights for recovery animals were measured on study Day 29); fasted body weight measured on Day 29 (core animals only). During the recovery period, body weights were measured on study Days 36, 42 and a fasted body weight on study Day 43. Body weight measurements were collected using ToxData© System, version 2.1.E.5.


FOOD CONSUMPTION:
- Food consumption for each animal was determined and mean daily diet consumption calculated as g food/kg body weight/day: Yes; Food consumption for the core and recovery animals was measured five days prior to the first exposure (included in the study data but not reported), and daily on study Days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. During the recovery period, food consumption was measured on study Days 36 and 42. Food consumption was collected using ToxData© System, version 2.1.E.5.


HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: Performed on all core animals on study Day 29 and all recovery animals on study Day 43.
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes; 70% CO2/30% O2
- Animals fasted: Yes
- How many animals: All animals
- Parameters examined: Red blood cell count and morphology, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, total and differential leukocyte count (absolute and relative), reticulocyte count (absolute
and relative) and platelet count. The following coagulation parameters were evaluated: fibrinogen, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. The data was evaluated using a Diagnostica Stago STA Compact CT Coagulation Analyzer (DIAGNOSTICA STAGO, Inc., Parsippany, NJ), the Coagulation data were transferred from the Coagulation Analyzer to ToxData System, version 2.1.E.5.


CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: Performed on all core animals on study Day 29 and all recovery animals on study Day 43.
- Animals fasted: Yes
- How many animals: All animals
- Parameter examined: alanine aminotransferase, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, chloride, cholesterol, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, total protein and triglycerides.


URINALYSIS: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of urine: Performed on all core animals on study Day 29 and all recovery animals on study Day 43.
- Metabolism cages used for collection of urine: No data
- Animals fasted: No data
- Parameters examined: pH, protein, glucose, ketones, occult blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrite and leukocytes. Refractive index was measured with a refractometer, and a species-specific urine solids table was used to convert the refractive index to specific gravity. Urine was evaluated macroscopically for color, clarity and volume, and the sediment was analyzed microscopically.


OTHER:
ORGAN WEIGHTS: At the terminal and recovery necropsies, the adrenal glands, brain, epididymides, paired kidneys, liver, lungs, spleen, uterus, thymus and paired gonads (testes or ovaries) were removed, trimmed, and weighed. Organ weight/body weight ratios (relative organ weights) were calculated using the fasted body weights obtained prior to necropsy.

Sacrifice and pathology:
GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes; complete necropsies were conducted on all animals at terminal and recovery sacrifice. The necropsy included examination of the external surface and all orifices; all body cavities including the cranial cavity; and collection and fixation of the following tissues and organs: adrenal glands, brain, epididymides, heart (with aorta), kidneys, liver (two sections including left lateral and median lobes), lungs (with mainstem bronchi), ovaries, pancreas, seminal vesicles, spleen, sternum (bone marrow), testes, thymus and uterus. Gross lesions were also collected and preserved from all animals. In addition, the section of the tail bearing the animal identification number was also collected and preserved from all animals, and two bone marrow smears were collected from the femur of each animal.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes; The adrenal glands, kidneys, liver (two sections including left lateral and median lobes), lungs (with mainstem bronchi), spleen and any gross lesions for the control and high dose groups were processed for microscopic evaluation for all core and recovery animals at necropsy (except as noted in Protocol Deviation No. 1). Tissues from other dose group animals were saved for future evaluations. Lungs (with mainstem bronchi) for the low and mid dose groups were processed for microscopic evaluation for all core toxicology animals at terminal necropsy.
Statistics:
Clinical observations were tabulated, but not statistically analyzed.

Body weight, body weight gain, food consumption and clinical pathology (haematology, coagulation and clinical chemistry) were analyzed for normality and equal variance. If the data set was normally distributed and of equal variance, statistical comparisons were conducted using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with post-hoc comparisons made using Dunnett's test. If normality and/or equal variance failed for a data set, statistical comparisons were conducted using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, with post-hoc comparisons made using Dunn's test. These parameters were compared using the statistical software provided by ToxData System, version 2.1.E.5. Urinalysis and organ weight data were compared using SYSTAT Software, version 10.2 (Systat Software Inc., Chicago, IL). Each sex was analyzed separately. Probability values of p < 0.05 (ToxData) or p 0.05 (SYSTAT) were considered significant.


Urinalysis (refractive index, specific gravity and pH only) and organ weight data were compared using ANOVA, with post-hoc comparisons made using Dunnett's test.

The Filtered Air Control group (Group 1) served as the control group for all comparisons.

Results and discussion

Results of examinations

Clinical signs:
no effects observed
Mortality:
no mortality observed
Body weight and weight changes:
no effects observed
Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):
no effects observed
Food efficiency:
not examined
Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):
not examined
Ophthalmological findings:
not examined
Haematological findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Clinical biochemistry findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Urinalysis findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Behaviour (functional findings):
not examined
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
effects observed, treatment-related
Gross pathological findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:
effects observed, treatment-related
Histopathological findings: neoplastic:
not examined
Details on results:
CLINICAL SIGNS AND MORTALITY
- No exposure-related deaths occurred during the study.
- The following clinical observations were observed during the pre- and post-exposure periods: skin/fur discoloration (blue), discoloration around the mouth, redness around nose fur, redness around the eyes, salivation, scab, injury, wet inguinal fur and limping. These observations (with the exception of skin/fur discoloration, discoloration around the mouth, scab, injury, and limping) are typical in nose-only exposure studies and were regarded as consequential to the rigors of nose-only exposure tube confinement.


BODY WEIGHT AND WEIGHT GAIN
- There were no statistically significant differences in group mean body weights for the male or female animals. Mean body weight gain was statistically significantly increased in High group females for Day 22-28, but the increase was not considered biologically relevant. No dose-related pattern was observed in either sex during the study.


FOOD CONSUMPTION
- There were no statistically significant differences in food consumption measurements, and no dose-related trend was observed in either sex.


HAEMATOLOGY
- At the end of the exposure period, white blood cells (WBC) and absolute eosinophils were statistically significantly increased in males in the Mid group, and absolute neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils were statistically significantly increased in males in the High group, when compared to the Filtered Air Control. In females, relative reticulocytes were statistically significantly increased in the Mid group compared to the Filtered Air Control group. At the end of the recovery period, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV and absolute large unstained cells were statistically significantly increased in the High group males, when compared to the Filtered Air Control. At the end of the recovery period, absolute and relative reticulocytes were statistically significantly increased in the High group females, when compared to the Filtered Air Control. All red blood cell morphology observations were normal at the end of the exposure and recovery periods.
- Coagulation: At the end of the exposure period, no statistically significant differences were seen in males or females. No statistically significant differences were seen in males or females at the end of the recovery period.



CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
- At the end of the exposure period, calcium and glucose were statistically significantly increased in males in the Mid group and phosphorus was statistically significantly increased in Mid and High group males compared to the Filtered Air Control group. In females, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was significantly decreased in the Low group, calcium was statistically significantly increased in the Mid group, and chloride, phosphorus and albumin/globulin ratio levels were statistically significantly increased and globulin levels were statistically significantly decreased in the High group, compared to the Filtered Air Control group. At the end of the recovery period, cholesterol was statistically significantly increased in High group males, when compared to the Filtered Air Control. No statistically significant differences were seen in females at the end of the recovery period.


URINALYSIS
- Prior to terminal necropsy, urine refractive index and specific gravity were statistically significantly decreased for males in the low and High groups. At the end of the recovery period, no statistically significantly differences were observed between the groups.


ORGAN WEIGHTS
- At terminal necropsy, mean absolute and relative lung weights were statistically significantly increased in the Low, Mid and High groups for males, and in the Mid and High groups for females, compared to the Filtered Air Control group. At the recovery necropsy, mean absolute and relative lung weights were statistically significantly increased in males and females in the High group, mean relative testes weights were statistically significantly increased in males in the High group, and mean absolute and relative adrenal weights were statistically significantly decreased in males in the High group.


GROSS PATHOLOGY
- At Day 29, animals exposed to 0.65 mg/L air TBO had an increased incidence of pigmentation of the lungs which was correlated with the microscopic finding of alveolar foreign material and alveolar pigmented macrophages. Some animals exposed to 0.08 or 0.325 mg/L air levels also had pigmentation of the lungs with similar microscopic findings. In addition, the skin over the nasal bone was pigmented blue in all groups exposed to TBO. At Day 43, animals exposed to 0.65 mg/L air TBO had an increased incidence of pigmentation of the lungs which was correlated with the microscopic finding of alveolar foreign material and/or alveolar pigmented macrophages.


HISTOPATHOLOGY: NON-NEOPLASTIC
- At terminal sacrifice, there was an increase in the severity of alveolar pigmented macrophages, alveolar foreign material and individual alveolar foamy macrophages in animals exposed to all target concentrations of TBO. These three findings were considered related to exposure to TBO at all dose levels. In addition, at the 0.325 mg/L air and 0.65 mg/L air dose males there was an increase in the incidence of aggregates of foamy macrophages in the alveoli; this finding was also in the females exposed to 0.65 mg/L air concentration. There is a clear exposure response relationship in males for aggregates of macrophages in alveoli; this relationship is present, but less clear in the females. The finding of aggregated foamy macrophages was considered related to exposure of test substance at the 0.325 and 0.65 mg/L air concentrations in males and at the 0.65 mg/L air in females.

- After 14 days without exposure, there was the same incidence of animals with alveolar pigmented macrophages; however, the severity was slightly
decreased. There was a decrease in the severity of animals in Group 4 (0.65 mg/L air TBO) which had alveolar foreign material and individual alveolar foamy macrophages. There was a very small decrease in severity of foamy macrophage aggregates after 14 days without exposure. There was limited recovery of findings when compared to the terminal sacrifice animals.

Effect levels

open allclose all
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
> 0.65 other: mg/L air (target)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: No significant effects were observed at any dose
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
> 0.652 mg/L air (analytical)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: no significant effects were observed at any dose

Target system / organ toxicity

Critical effects observed:
not specified

Any other information on results incl. tables

Overall means for TBO concentrations were determined gravimetrically to be 0.081, 0.331 and 0.652 mg/L for Groups 2 through 4, respectively. The TBO % recovery ranged from 100.83-102.38%.. Small amounts of TBO in the chemically-analyzed filters for the Filtered Air Control group were attributed to contamination during the filter analysis processing and/or the calibration curve. The Filtered Air Control group filter-collected mean gravimetric value was 0.000 mg/L. The particle size distribution of the test atmosphere was within the respirable range. The overall mean TBO inhaled dose levels were 14.8, 60.2 and 118.8 mg/kg/day for Groups 2 through 4, respectively. The overall mean male TBO inhaled dose levels were 13.7, 55.7 and 110.2 mg/kg/day for Groups 2 through 4, respectively. The overall mean female TBO inhaled dose levels were 15.8, 64.7 and 127.3 mg/kg/day for Groups 2 through 4, respectively. The male inhaled dose levels were 10-11% below the target levels for all groups, while the female inhaled dose levels were 3-5% above the target levels for all groups. Prior to exposure initiation, the homogeneity of the test atmosphere in each TBO exposure chamber was confirmed.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
The NOAEL was determined to be > 0.65 mg/L exposed by nose-only TBO inhalation for 6 hours per day, 7 days per week for 28 consecutive days.