Pharmacokinetics of bromoform in dairy heifers.

AIMS: To determine the pharmacokinetics in dairy heifers after oral and IV administration of bromoform, a potential antimethanogenic agent found in red seaweed, Asparagopsis spp. METHODS: Twenty-four dairy heifers with a mean weight of 319 (SD 36.9) kg were used. The study was conducted in two phases, and each cohort of 12 heifers received an escalating dose of bromoform. In the first phase, 12 heifers successively received doses of 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg of bromoform orally, separated by a 72-hour washout period. In the second phase, a different cohort of 12 dairy heifers was used. Each heifer received a total of four doses of bromoform separated by a wash-out period of 72 hours. Sequentially the treatments were (for each of the 12 heifers) an oral dose of 50 mg, followed by an IV dose of 50 mg, followed by an oral dose of 100 mg and finally an IV dose of 100 mg.Blood samples were assayed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry for bromoform and dibromomethane to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters using a non-compartmental analysis. RESULTS: Bromoform was rapidly absorbed as indicated by a short time to the maximum observed concentration of 15 minutes. For the routes of administration and dose ranges investigated, the mean terminal half-life ranged from 0.32 (SE 0.03) hours to 5.73 (SE 1.64) hours when administered orally or IV. With values for the mean area under the curve (AUC) to dose ratio ranging from 0.25 (SE 0.04) to 0.82 (SE 0.19) for oral and 1.39 (SE 0.39) to 4.02 (SE 0.37) for IV administration, bromoform appeared to exhibit non-proportional pharmacokinetic behaviour. The mean absolute bioavailability was 39.13 (SE 10.4)% and 3.36 (SE 0.83)% for 50-mg and 100-mg doses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bromoform is rapidly absorbed and exhibits dose dependent elimination kinetics.

The impact of variation in scaling factors on the estimation of internal dose metrics: a case study using bromodichloromethane (BDCM).

A rate for hepatic metabolism (Vmax) determined in vitro must be scaled for in vivo use in a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model. This requires the use of scaling factors such as mg of microsomal protein per gram of liver (MPPGL) and liver mass (FVL). Variation in MPPGL and FVL impacts variation in Vmax, and hence PBPK model-derived estimates of internal dose used in dose response analysis. The impacts of adult human variation in MPPGL and FVL on estimates of internal dose were assessed using a human PBPK model for bromodichloromethane (BDCM), a water disinfection byproduct, for multiple internal dose metrics for two exposure scenarios (single 0.25 liter drink of water or 10 min shower) under plausible (5 µg/L) and high level (20 µg/L) water concentrations. For both concentrations, all internal dose metrics were changed less than 5% for the showering scenario (combined inhalation and dermal exposure). In contrast, a 27-fold variation in area under the curve (AUC) for BDCM in venous blood was observed at both oral exposure concentrations, whereas total amount of BDCM metabolized in liver was relatively unchanged. This analysis demonstrates that variability in the scaling factors used for in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) for metabolic rate parameters can have a significant route-dependent impact on estimates of internal dose under environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. This indicates the need to evaluate both uncertainty and variability for scaling factors used for IVIVE.

Influence of physical activity in the intake of trihalomethanes in indoor swimming pools.

This study describes the relationship between physical activity and intake of trihalomethanes (THMs), namely chloroform (CHCl3), bromodichloromethane (CHCl2Br), dibromochloromethane (CHClBr2) and bromoform (CHBr3), in individuals exposed in two indoor swimming pools which used different disinfection agents, chlorine (Cl-SP) and bromine (Br-SP). CHCl3 and CHBr3 were the dominant compounds in air and water of the Cl-SP and Br-SP, respectively. Physical exercise was assessed from distance swum and energy expenditure. The changes in exhaled breath concentrations of these compounds were measured from the differences after and before physical activity. A clear dependence between distance swum or energy expenditure and exhaled breath THM concentrations was observed. The statistically significant relationships involved higher THM concentrations at higher distances swum. However, air concentration was the major factor determining the CHCl3 and CHCl2Br intake in swimmers whereas distance swum was the main factor for CHBr3 intake. These two causes of THM incorporation into swimmers concurrently intensify the concentrations of these compounds into exhaled breath and pointed to inhalation as primary mechanism for THM uptake. Furthermore, the rates of THM incorporation were proportionally higher as higher was the degree of bromination of the THM species. This trend suggested that air-water partition mechanisms in the pulmonary system determined higher retention of the THM compounds with lower Henry's Law volatility constants than those of higher constant values. Inhalation is therefore the primary mechanisms for THM exposure of swimmers in indoor buildings.

The influence of physicochemical properties on the internal dose of trihalomethanes in humans following a controlled showering exposure.

Although disinfection of domestic water supply is crucial for protecting public health from waterborne diseases, this process forms potentially harmful by-products, such as trihalomethanes (THMs). We evaluated the influence of physicochemical properties of four THMs (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform) on the internal dose after showering. One hundred volunteers showered for 10 min in a controlled setting with fixed water flow, air flow, and temperature. We measured THMs in shower water, shower air, bathroom air, and blood samples collected at various time intervals. The geometric mean (GM) for total THM concentration in shower water was 96.2 µg/l. The GM of total THM in air increased from 5.8 µg/m(3) pre shower to 351 µg/m(3) during showering. Similarly, the GM of total-blood THM concentration increased from 16.5 ng/l pre shower to 299 ng/l at 10 min post shower. THM levels were significantly correlated between different matrices (e.g. dibromochloromethane levels) in water and air (r=0.941); blood and water (r=0.845); and blood and air (r=0.831). The slopes of best-fit lines for THM levels in water vs air and blood vs air increased with increasing partition coefficient of water/air and blood/air. The slope of the correlation plot of THM levels in water vs air decreased in a linear (r=0.995) fashion with increasing Henry's law constant. The physicochemical properties (volatility, partition coefficients, and Henry's law constant) are useful parameters for predicting THM movement between matrices and understanding THM exposure during showering.

Water consumption and use, trihalomethane exposure, and the risk of hypospadias.

OBJECTIVES: Hypospadias is a congenital anomaly that affects up to 70 in 10 000 males. Ingestion of drinking-water-disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) has been associated with hypospadias in a small sample. We examined risk of hypospadias and exposure to THMs through water consumption and use. METHODS: Between September 2000 and March 2003, we interviewed mothers of 471 boys with hypospadias and 490 controls in southeast England about maternal water consumption, dishwashing, showering, bathing and swimming. We obtained residential THM concentrations from the water companies and linked them by using Geographical Information Systems, which provided data on 468 case-subjects and 485 controls. RESULTS: THM exposures, except for ingestion of ≥ 6 µg/day of bromodichloromethane (odds ratio [OR]: 1.65 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.69]), were not associated with risk of hypospadias. Elevated risk of hypospadias was associated with estimates of consumption of cold tap water at home (OR: 1.71 [95% CI: 1.07-2.76]), total water (OR: 1.70 [95% CI: 1.09-2.67]), bottled water (OR: 1.64 [95% CI: 1.09-2.48]), and total fluid (OR: 1.55 [95% CI: 1.01-2.39]) for the highest versus the lowest categories; the first 2 showed dose-response trends. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for an association between maternal water consumption and risk of hypospadias did not seem to be explained by THM exposure. Factors that influence maternal water consumption or other contaminants in tap or bottled water might explain this finding. It is important that women maintain an adequate fluid intake during pregnancy.

Evaluation of the impact of the exposure route on the human kinetic adjustment factor.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the exposure route on the human kinetic adjustment factor (HKAF), for which a default value of 3.16 is used in non-cancer risk assessment. A multi-route PBPK model was modified from the literature and used for computing the internal dose metrics in adults, neonates, children, elderly and pregnant women following three route-specific scenarios to chloroform, bromoform, tri- or per-chloroethylene (TCE or PERC). These include 24-h inhalation exposure, body-weight adjusted oral exposure and 30 min dermal exposure to contaminated drinking water. Distributions for body weight (BW), height (BH) and hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) content were obtained from the literature, whereas model parameters (flows, volumes) were calculated from BW and BH. Monte Carlo simulations were performed and the HKAF was calculated as the ratio of the 95th percentile value of internal dose metrics in subpopulation to the 50th percentile value in adults. On the basis of the area under the parent compound's arterial blood concentration vs time curve (AUC(pc)), highest HKAFs were obtained in neonates for every scenario considered, and were the highest for bromoform (range: 3.6-7.4). Exceedance of the default value based on AUC(PC) was also observed for an oral exposure to chloroform in neonates (4.9). In all other cases, HKAFs remained below the default value. Overall, this study has pointed out the dependency of the HKAF on the exposure route, dose metrics and subpopulation considered, as well as characteristics of the chemicals investigated.

Evaluation of associations between lifetime exposure to drinking water disinfection by-products and bladder cancer in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of bladder cancer in dogs from exposure to drinking water disinfection by-products and determine whether dogs could serve as sentinels for human bladder cancer associated with such exposures. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 100 dogs with cancer of the urinary bladder and 100 control dogs. PROCEDURES: Case and control dogs were frequency-matched by age (within 2 years) and sex. Owners of dogs enrolled provided verbal informed consent and were interviewed by telephone. The telephone questionnaire included a complete residence history for each dog. Each dog's total exposure history to trihalomethanes was reconstructed from its residence history and corresponding drinking water utility company data. RESULTS: No association was detected between increasing years of exposure to chlorinated drinking water and risk of bladder cancer. Dogs with bladder cancer were exposed to higher total trihalomethanes concentrations than control dogs; however, the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although humans and their dogs live in the same household, the activity patterns of dogs may lead to lower exposures to household tap water. Thus, although exposure to disinfection by-products in tap water may be a risk factor for human bladder cancer, this may not be true for canine bladder cancer at the concentrations at which dogs are exposed.

Disposition of bromodichloromethane in humans following oral and dermal exposure.

Exposure to bromodichloromethane (BDCM), one of the most prevalent disinfection byproducts in drinking water, can occur via ingestion of water and by dermal absorption and inhalation during activities such as bathing and showering. The objectives of this research were to assess BDCM pharmacokinetics in human volunteers exposed percutaneously and orally to (13)C-BDCM and to evaluate factors that could affect disposition of BDCM. Among study subjects, CYP2E1 activity varied fourfold; 20% had the glutathione S-transferase theta 1-1 homozygous null genotype; and body fat ranged from 7 to 22%. Subjects were exposed to (13)C-BDCM in water (target concentration of 36 mug/l) via ingestion and by forearm submersion. Blood was collected for up to 24 h and analyzed for (13)C-BDCM by solid-phase microextraction and high-resolution GC-MS. Urine was collected before and after exposure for mutagenicity determinations in Salmonella. After ingestion (mean dose = 146 ng/kg), blood (13)C-BDCM concentrations peaked and declined rapidly, returning to levels near or below the limit of detection (LOD) within 4 h. The T(max) for the oral exposure ranged from 5 to 30 min, and the C(max) ranged from 0.4 to 4.1 ng/l. After the 1 h dermal exposure (estimated mean dose = 155 ng/kg), blood concentrations of (13)C-BDCM ranged from 39 to 170 ng/l and decreased to levels near or below the LOD by 24 h. Peak postdose urine mutagenicity levels that were at least twice that of the predose mean level occurred in 6 of 10 percutaneously exposed subjects and 3 of 8 orally exposed subjects. These results demonstrate a highly significant contribution of dermal absorption to circulating levels of BDCM and confirm the much lower oral contribution, indicating that water uses involving dermal contact can lead to much greater systemic BDCM doses than water ingestion. These data will facilitate development and validation of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for BDCM in humans.

Neurotoxicological evaluation of two disinfection by-products, bromodichloromethane and dibromoacetonitrile, in rats.

The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that the U.S. EPA consider noncancer endpoints for the assessment of adverse human health effects of disinfection by-products (DBPs). As an extension of our studies in which we demonstrated neurotoxicity at relatively low levels of dibromo- and dichloroacetic acids, we examined the potential neurotoxicity of other classes of DBPs. Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) and dibromoacetonitrile (DBAN) were administered to male and female F-344 rats via drinking water for 6 months. During exposure, rats were tested for neurobehavioral effects using a functional observational battery and motor activity, followed by perfusion fixation for neuropathological evaluation at the end of exposure. Calculating for chemical loss, fluid consumption, and body weight, average intakes were approximately: 9, 27, and 72mg/(kgday) BDCM, and 5, 12, and 29mg/(kgday) DBAN. Fluid consumption was decreased in most treatment groups, but body weight gain was altered only at the high concentrations. There were few neurobehavioral changes, and these were not considered toxicologically relevant. Of the general observations, there was only minimally decreased body tone in DBAN-treated high-dose males. Treatment-related neuropathological findings were not observed. Lowered fluid consumption was the most sensitive and consistent endpoint in the present studies. Thus, unlike the haloacetic acids, neurotoxicity may not be a concern for toxicity of halomethanes or haloacetonitriles.

Toxicology studies of bromodichloromethane (CAS No. 75-27-4) in genetically modified (FVB Tg.AC Hemizygous) mice (dermal, drinking water, and gavage studies) and carcinogenicity studies of bromodichloromethane in genetically modified [B6.129-Trp53(tm1Brd) (N5) haploinsufficient] mice (drinking water and gavage studies).

UNLABELLED: Bromodichloromethane is a by-product of the chlorination of drinking water. It is formed by the halogen substitution and oxidation reactions of chlorine and naturally occurring organic matter (e.g., humic or fluvic acids) in water containing bromide. Bromodichloromethane was nominated to the NTP by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for toxicology and carcinogenicity studies. Male and female Tg.AC hemizygous mice received bromodichloromethane (at least 98%pure) by dermal application for 26 or 39 weeks, in drinking water for 26 or 42 weeks, or by gavage for 26 or 41 weeks. p53 Haploinsufficient mice received bromodichloromethane in drinking water for 26 or 42 weeks or by gavage for 26 or 41 weeks. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. 26- and 39-WEEK DERMAL STUDIES IN Tg.AC HEMIZYGOUS MICE: Groups of 15 male and 15 female Tg.AC hemizygous mice were dermally administered 0, 64, 128, or 256 mg bromodichloromethane/kg body weight in acetone, 5 days per week for 26 weeks, and groups of 10 male and 10 female Tg.AC hemizygous mice were dermally administered the same doses 5 days per week for 39 weeks. The survival and mean body and organ weights of all dosed groups of males and females were similar to those of the vehicle controls. There were no statistically or biologically significant increases in the incidences of neoplasms or nonneoplastic lesions. 26- AND 42-WEEK DRINKING WATER STUDIES IN TG.AC HEMIZYGOUS MICE: Groups of 15 male and 15 female Tg.AC hemizygous mice were exposed to drinking water containing 0, 175, 350, or 700 mg/L bromodichloromethane for 26 weeks (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 20, 36, or 61 mg bromodichloromethane/kg body weight to males and 31, 61, or 130 mg/kg to females). The survival of exposed males and females was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body weights of males exposed to 350 or 700 mg/L were less than those of the controls during most of the study. Mean body weights of 175, 350, and 700 mg/L females were greater than those of the controls after weeks 10, 22, and 23, respectively. In exposed males, water consumption declined with increasing exposure concentration. Water consumption by exposed females was less at the beginning of the study, but was similar to that by controls at the end of the study. The decreased water consumption was related to poor palatability. Absolute heart and right kidney weights of exposed males were significantly less than those of the control group. The incidences of hepatocyte fatty change and hypertrophy in 350 and 700 mg/L females and cytoplasmic vacuolization in 700 mg/L females were significantly greater than those in the control group. Incidences of renal tubule dilatation in males exposed to 175 mg/L or greater, renal tubule hypertrophy in 350 and 700 mg/L males, and nephropathy and renal tubule degeneration in 700 mg/L males were also increased. Groups of 10 male and 10 female Tg.AC hemizygous mice were exposed to drinking water containing 0, 175, 350, or 700 mg/L bromodichloromethane for 42 weeks (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 18, 33, or 64 mg/kg to males and 28, 49, or 111 mg/kg to females). The survival of exposed males and females was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body weights of 350 and 700 mg/L males were less than those of the controls at the end of the study. Due to poor palatability, water consumption decreased with increasing exposure concentration. Absolute right kidney weights of 350 and 700 mg/L males were significantly less than those of the control group. The incidences of hepatocyte fatty change in all exposed groups of females, renal tubule dilatation in all exposed groups of males, and nephropathy in 700 mg/L males were significantly increased. 26- AND 41-WEEK GAVAGE STUDIES IN TG.AC HEMIZYGOUS MICE: Groups of 15 male and 15 female Tg.AC hemizygous mice were administered 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg bromodichloromethane/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage, 5 days per week for 26 weeks. The survival of dosed males and females was similar to that of the vehicle control groups. Mean body weights of dosed females were generally greater than those of the vehicle controls at the end of the study. The incidence of multiple squamous cell papilloma of the forestomach in 100 mg/kg females was significantly greater than that in the vehicle controls. The incidences of hepatocyte fatty change in all dosed groups of females, hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolization in 25 and 50 mg/kg females, renal tubule hypertrophy in 100 mg/kg females, and renal tubule degeneration in 100 mg/kg males were significantly increased. Groups of 10 male and 10 female Tg.AC hemizygous mice were administered 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg in corn oil by gavage, 5 days per week for 41 weeks. The survival of dosed males and females was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body weights of 25 mg/kg males and 100 mg/kg females were greater than those of the vehicle controls at the end of the study. The incidences of multiple squamous cell papilloma of the forestomach in 25 and 100 mg/kg females and of all squamous cell papillomas of the forestomach in 100 mg/kg females were significantly greater than those of the vehicle controls. The incidences of hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolization in 50 mg/kg females and hepatocyte fatty change in 50 and 100 mg/L females were significantly increased; the incidences of renal tubule degeneration in 100 mg/kg males was also significantly greater than that in the vehicle control group. 26- AND 42-WEEK DRINKING WATER STUDIES IN P53 HAPLOINSUFFICIENT MICE: Groups of 15 male and 15 female p53 haploinsufficient mice were exposed to drinking water containing 0, 175, 350, or 700 mg/L bromodichloromethane for 26 weeks (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 16, 31, or 65 mg/kg to males and 26, 50, or 100 mg/kg to females). The survival of exposed males and females was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body weights of 350 and 700 mg/L males were less than those of the controls throughout most of the study. Mean body weights of 175, 350, and 700 mg/L females were less than control body weights after weeks 15, 23, and 18, respectively. In exposed males, water consumption declined with increasing exposure concentration. Water consumption by exposed females was similar to that by controls by the end of the study. The absolute heart weight of 700 mg/L males and absolute right kidney and liver weights of 350 and 700 mg/L males were significantly less than those of the control group. The incidences of renal tubule dilatation in all exposed groups of males, renal tubule degeneration in 350 and 700 mg/L males, and the incidence of fatty change in hepatocytes of 700 mg/L females were significantly greater than those in the control groups. Groups of 10 male and 10 female p53 haploinsufficient mice were exposed to drinking water containing 0, 175, 350, or 700 mg/L for 42 weeks (equivalent to approximately 14, 30, or 55 mg/kg to males and 22, 43, or 98 mg/kg to females). The survival of exposed males and females was similar to that in the control groups. Mean body weights of males exposed to 350 or 700 mg/L were less than those of the controls. Mean body weights in 700 mg/L females were less during the last three weeks of the study. Water consumption by exposed males was less than that by controls. The absolute right kidney weights in 350 and 700 mg/L males were significantly less than those of the control group. The incidences of renal tubule degeneration in 350 and 700 mg/L males were significantly greater than that in the control group. 26- AND 41-WEEK GAVAGE STUDIES IN P53 HAPLOINSUFFICIENT MICE: Groups of 15 male and 15 female p53 haploinsufficient mice were administered 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg bromodichloromethane/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage for 26 weeks. The survival of dosed males and females was similar to that of the vehicle control groups. The mean body weights of males administered 50 or 100 mg/kg and females administered 50 mg/kg were less than those of the vehicle controls during most of the study. The absolute heart, right kidney, and right testis weights in 100 mg/kg males were significantly less than those of the vehicle controls. The absolute liver weight of 100 mg/kg females was significantly greater. The incidences of fatty change in hepatocytes of 100 mg/kg females and renal tubule degeneration in 100 mg/kg males were significantly greater than those in the vehicle control groups. Groups of 10 male and 10 female p53 haploinsufficient mice were administered 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg in corn oil by gavage for 41 weeks. The survival of dosed males and females was similar to that of the vehicle control groups. Mean body weights of 50 and 100 mg/kg males were less than those of the vehicle controls throughout the study and those of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg females were less after weeks 9, 14, and 24, respectively. The absolute liver weight of 100 mg/kg females was increased with respect to the vehicle controls, and the absolute heart and right kidney weights of 100 mg/kg males were decreased. The incidences of hepatocyte fatty change in 100 mg/kg males and females and renal tubule degeneration and nephropathy in 100 mg/kg males were significantly greater than those in the vehicle controls. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: Peripheral blood micronucleus tests on male and female Tg.AC hemizygous and p53 haploinsufficient mice exposed to bromodichloromethane in drinking water, by dermal application, and by gavage for 26 weeks yielded mixed results but no clearly positive responses. Results in Tg.AC hemizygous mice were judged to be equivocal for both males and females in the drinking water study, equivocal in males and negative in females treated by dermal application, and negative in males and females treated by gavage. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Multi-pathway risk assessment of trihalomethanes exposure in Istanbul drinking water supplies.

The lifetime cancer risk and the hazard index of trihalomethanes (THMs) through oral ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation exposure from tap water of 15 districts in Istanbul are estimated. The most dominant THM compounds are chloroform, bromodichloromethane (BDCM), and dibromochloromethane (DBCM) in Istanbul tap water. The results indicate that within three different pathways, Istanbul residents had a higher cancer risk through oral ingestion than through the other two pathways. The lifetime cancer risks of oral ingestion for total THMs was highest in Esenyurt district, while the lowest lifetime cancer risk for total THMs was in Basaksehir district. The lifetime cancer risks of chloroform, BDCM, and DBCM from tap water of all 15 districts were higher than 10(-6), the negligible risk level defined by the USEPA. Among the 15 districts, people living in Esenyurt have the highest risk of cancer due to the THM exposure through the multi-pathways, mainly because of the exposure to BDCM and DBCM. The total cancer risk analysis concluded that each year approximately 5 of the 8 million Istanbul residents could get cancer from the daily intake of tap water.

Formic acid excretion in rats and mice exposed to bromodichloromethane: a possible link to renal tubule cell proliferation in long-term studies.

Male F344 rats exposed to bromodichloromethane (BDCM) by gavage at 50 or 100 mg/kg/day for 5 days a week for 28 days excreted large amounts of formic acid in their urine, which was accompanied by a change in urinary pH. Male B6C3F1 mice exposed to BDCM at 25 or 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days a week for 28 days also excreted increased amounts of formic acid in their urine. In rats, formate excretion was dose and time dependant, being markedly elevated after four doses and remaining at that level after 3 weeks of dosing at 100 mg/kg/day BDCM, while at 50 mg/kg/day there was some suggestion of a decline after 3 weeks. In contrast, in mice formate excretion did not start to a major extent until 3 weeks of dosing, with the biggest response at 4 weeks. There was no increase in clinical chemistry markers of liver or kidney injury in either rats or mice following 28-day exposure to BDCM. However, morphological examination of the kidneys showed some mild renal tubule injury in two out of five rats exposed to 100 mg/kg/day BDCM. This was associated with a marked increase in cell proliferation in the renal cortex of all rats exposed to 100 mg/kg/day. No increase in cell proliferation was seen in the renal cortex of rats exposed to BDCM at 50 mg/kg/day, or in mice exposed to 25 or 50 mg/kg/day BDCM for 28 days. Long-term exposure to formic acid is known to cause kidney damage, suggesting that excretion of this acid may be a contributory factor to the increase in cell proliferation and kidney damage seen in the longer-term studies with BDCM.

The effects of a high animal fat diet on the induction of aberrant crypt foci in the colons of male F344/N rats exposed to trihalomethanes in the drinking water.

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF), identified as putative precursor lesions in the development of colon cancer, were induced by brominated trihalomethanes (THMs) administered in the drinking water of rats. To investigate whether ACF induced by THMs could be promoted by a diet high in saturated animal fat, male F344/N rats were exposed to 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 or 1.1 g/l of trichloromethane (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM) and tribromomethane (TBM), respectively, in drinking water. All animals were fed a Purina 5001 diet with half receiving the normal 4.5% fat feed and half receiving feed supplemented with 19% animal fat. After 26 weeks of treatment, colons were excised and examined for ACF. No difference in ACF was noted between animals fed a normal or high fat diet and exposed to TCM, BDCM or DBCM. However, animals exposed to TBM and fed a high fat diet showed a significant and near two-fold increase in ACF when compared to TBM exposed animals fed a normal diet.

Serum hormone characterization and exogeneous hormone rescue of bromodichloromethane-induced pregnancy loss in the F344 rat.

Previously, we demonstrated that bromodichloromethane (BDCM), a drinking water disinfection by-product, causes pregnancy loss in F344 rats when given on gestational days (GD) 6-10, encompassing the luteinizing hormone (LH)-dependent period of pregnancy (GD 7-10). Pregnancy loss, i.e., full-litter resorption, was associated with reduced serum progesterone levels; however, we were unable to identify an effect on serum LH. Here, we reevaluated serum LH levels using the more sensitive technique, DELFIA(R). We further sought to better define the temporal pattern of endocrine disruption caused by BDCM during pregnancy with more frequent sampling. Lastly, we attempted to prevent BDCM-induced pregnancy loss using exogenous progesterone or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), an LH-agonist. BDCM, in 10% Alkamuls(R), was dosed at 75 mg/kg/day by gavage to F344 rats on GD 6-10 (plug day = GD 0). BDCM-induced pregnancy loss was associated with marked reductions in serum progesterone and LH on GD 10. The decrease in serum LH consistently preceded the decrease in progesterone. In the hormone replacement studies, BDCM and progesterone were administered on GD 6-10, hCG on GD 8-10. BDCM was delivered at 100 mg/kg/day, progesterone at 10 mg/kg twice daily, and hCG at 0.5 IU/0.2 ml/rat. Both progesterone and hCG prevented BDCM-induced pregnancy loss. Thus, BDCM-induced pregnancy loss was associated with marked GD-10 reductions in serum LH and corresponding decreases in progesterone. Furthermore, coadministration of an LH agonist prevented pregnancy loss, supporting the hypothesis that BDCM-induced pregnancy loss in the rat occurs via an LH-mediated mode of action.

Induction of micronuclei in wild-type and p53(+/-) transgenic mice by inhaled bromodichloromethane.

Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) is commonly present in trace amounts in drinking water as a disinfection by-product. BDCM has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice and rats when given by gavage at relatively high doses. Genotoxic activity as well as induced regenerative cell proliferation may contribute to the carcinogenic potential of BDCM. The purpose of the current studies was to evaluate the ability of BDCM to induce micronuclei (MN) in bone marrow and blood of wild-type and p53(+/-) mice on the C57BL/6 and FVB/N genetic backgrounds using the inhalation route of exposure. Toxicity studies were being conducted in this laboratory with inhaled BDCM to select doses for longer-term cancer bioassays using wild-type and p53(+/-) transgenic mice on different genetic backgrounds. Bone marrow samples from these experiments were evaluated for the induction of MN after 1 and 3 weeks of exposure. Accumulation of MN in the peripheral blood was also evaluated at the 13-week time point of a cancer study with the p53(+/-) mice. For the 1-week time point, male C57BL/6 wild-type and p53(+/-) mice and FVB/N wild-type and p53(+/-) mice were exposed daily for 6h per day for 7 consecutive days to atmospheric BDCM concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 30, 100, or 150 ppm. In a second experiment, mice were exposed daily for 6h per day for 3 weeks to atmospheric BDCM concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 10, or 30 ppm. Resulting levels of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) containing MN were assessed in the bone marrow. For all of the 1- and 3-week exposure groups, the only statistically significant increase in the percentage of bone marrow PCE cells containing MN was in the 1-week 100 ppm BDCM exposure group in the FVB/N wild-type mice (control 0.26% versus exposed 1.16%). C57BL/6 p53(+/-) mice and FVB/N p53(+/-) mice were exposed daily for 6 h per day for 13 weeks to atmospheric BDCM concentrations of 0, 0.5, 3, 10, or 15 ppm. MN were quantified in samples of peripheral blood. Statistically significant increases in the percentage of peripheral blood NCE cells containing MN were seen at the highest BDCM exposure group of 15 ppm in both the C57BL/6 p53(+/-) strain (control 0.36% versus exposed 0.67%) and the FVB/N p53(+/-) strain (control 0.36% versus exposed 0.86%). These data indicate weak induction of MN by BDCM, but only at high atmospheric concentrations relative to normal environmental exposures and with extended periods of exposure. Although comparisons are difficult because responses were negative or marginal, the p53 genotype or the genetic background did not appear to substantially alter susceptibility to the genotoxic effects of BDCM.

Oral (drinking water) two-generation reproductive toxicity study of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) in rats.

Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) was tested for reproductive toxicity in a two-generation study in CRL SD rats. Thirty rats/sex/ group/generation were continuously provided BDCM in drinking water at 0 (control carrier, reverse osmosis membrane-processed water), 50,150, and 450 ppm (0, 4.1 to 12.6, 11.6 to 40.2, and 29.5 to 109.0 mg/kg/day, respectively). Adult human intake approximates 0.8 microg/kg/day (0.0008 mg/kg/day). P and F1 rats were observed for general toxicity (viability, clinical signs, water and feed consumption, body weights, organ weights [also three weanling Fl and F2 pups/sex/litter], histopathology [10/sex, 0- and 450-ppm exposure groups]) and reproduction (mating, fertility, abortions, premature deliveries, durations of gestation, litter sizes, sex ratios, viabilities, maternal behaviors, reproductive organ weights [also three weanling Fl and F2 pups/sex/ litter], sperm parameters, and implantations. F1 rats were evaluated for age at vaginal patency or preputial separation. Ten P and F1 rats/sex from the 0- and 450-ppm exposure groups and rats at 50 and 150 ppm with reduced fertility were evaluated for histopathology (gross lesions, testes, intact epididymis, all F1 dams for number of primordial follicles). Developmental parameters in offspring included implantation and pup numbers, sexes, viabilities, body weights, gross external alterations, and reproductive parameters (Fl adults). Toxicologically important, statistically significant effects at 150 and/or 450 ppm included mortality and clinical signs associated with reduced absolute and relative water consumption, reduced body weights and weight gains, and reduced absolute and relative feed consumption (P and F1 rats). Significantly reduced body weights at 150 and 450 ppm were associated with reduced organ weights and increased organ weight ratios (% body and/or brain weight). Histopathology did not identify abnormalities. Small delays in sexual maturation (preputial separation, vaginal patency) and more Fl rats with prolonged diestrus were also attributable to severely reduced pup body weights. Mating, fertility, sperm parameters, and primordial ovarian follicular counts were unaffected. The no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and the reproductive and developmental NOAELs for BDCM were at least 50 ppm (4.1 to 12.6 mg/kg/day), 5125 to 15,750 times the human adult exposure level, if delayed sexual maturational associated with severely reduced body weights is considered reproductive toxicity. If considered general toxicity, reproductive and developmental NOAELs for BDCM are greater than 450 ppm (29.5 to 109.0 mg/kg/day), or 36,875 to 136,250 times the human adult exposure level. Regardless, these data indicate that BDCM should not be identified as a risk to human reproductive performance or development of human conceptuses.

Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity induced by inhaled bromodichloromethane in wild-type and p53-heterozygous mice.

Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) is a common municipal drinking water disinfection by-product, resulting in widespread trace human exposure via ingestion and inhalation. The present studies were designed to define organ-specific, BDCM-induced toxicity in wild type (p53(+/+)) and heterozygous (p53(+/-)) mice on both the FVB/N and C57BL/6 genetic backgrounds. Mice were exposed to BDCM vapor daily for 6 h/day and 7 days/week at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 30, 100, or 150 ppm for 1 week and at 0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, or 30 ppm for 3 weeks. In the 1-week exposure study, dose-dependent mortality and morbidity were observed at concentrations of 30 ppm and above and were as high as 100% at 150 ppm. In the 3-week exposure study, mortality and morbidity were found only in the 30-ppm exposure groups and were 0, 17, 67, and 33% for the wild-type C57BL/6, p53(+/-) C57BL/6, wild-type FVB/N, and p53(+/-) FVB/N mice, respectively. BDCM was a particularly potent kidney cytotoxicant. Dose-dependent tubular degeneration, necrosis, and associated regenerative cell proliferation greater than 10-fold over controls were seen at concentrations as low as 10 ppm in the kidneys of all strains at 1 week. Similar dose-dependent increases in hepatic necrosis, degeneration, and regenerative cell proliferation were observed but were induced only at concentrations of 30 ppm and higher. Pathological changes were more severe in the FVB/N compared to the C57BL/6 mice and were more severe in the heterozygotes compared to the wild-type mice. However, recovery and return of the percentage of kidney cells in S-phase to control levels was seen at 3 weeks. The estimated maximum tolerated dose for longer-term exposures was 15 ppm, based on mortality, induced kidney pathology, and regenerative cell proliferation. A one-year cancer bioassay was initiated with doses of 0, 0.5, 3, 10, and 15 ppm, based on this information. No pathological changes in the livers were found at the 13-week time point of that study. At 13 weeks, the kidney lesions and regenerative cell proliferation seen at the 1-week time point at doses of 10 ppm and above had resolved, and the cell proliferation rates had returned to baseline. Differences in toxicity indicate that caution be used in substituting wild-type mice for transgenic mice for range-finding studies to select doses for p53(+/-) cancer studies. Resolution of the kidney lesions indicates that periods of very high regenerative cell proliferation, potentially important in the carcinogenic process, may not be observed if measurements are taken only at 3 weeks of exposure or later.

Oral (drinking water) developmental toxicity studies of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) in rats and rabbits.

Crl:CD(SD)IGS BR VAF/Plus (Crl SD) rats and Hra(NZW) SPF rabbits were tested for potential developmental toxicity from bromodichloromethane (BDCM) provided continuously in the drinking water during gestation (gestation days [GDs] 6 to 21 in rats and GDs 6 to 29 in rabbits). Concentrations of 0, 50, 150, 450, or 900 ppm of BDCM were used for rats; 0, 15, 150, 450, or 900 ppm were used for rabbits (in dose range-finding studies, 1350 ppm was excessively maternotoxic to both species). Investigated maternal parameters included viability, clinical signs, water and feed consumption, and body weights. Maternal gross lesions, gravid uterine weights, abnormal placentas, and numbers of corpora lutea, implantation sites, live and dead fetuses, and early and late resorptions were observed at time of Caesarean sectioning (GD 21 in rats; GD 29 in rabbits). Body weights, sex ratios, and morphological abnormalities (external, soft tissue, and skeletal) were noted in the fetuses. Mean consumed doses of BDCM were calculated to be 0, 2.2, 18.4, 45.0, or 82.0 mg/kg/day for the rats, and 0, 1.4, 13.4, 35.6, or 55.3 mg/kg/day for the rabbits (approximate human intake is 0.8 microg/kg/day [0.0008 mg/kg/day] in adults). In pregnant rats, toxicologically important, statistically significant effects included reduced absolute (g/day) and relative (g/kg/day) water consumption values at > or =50 ppm (2.2 mg/kg/day) and reduced body weight gains (also when corrected for gravid uterine weight) and absolute (g/day) and relative (g/kg/day) feed consumption values at >450 ppm (45.0 mg/kg/day). These parameters were also significantly reduced at > or =450 ppm (35.6 mg/kg/day) in pregnant rabbits (significant weight loss occurred in the rabbits at 900 ppm, i.e., 55.3 mg/kg/day). Thus, the maternal no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for BDCM was 150 ppm, i.e., 18.4 and 13.4 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits, respectively. No adverse effects on embryofetal viability, growth, sex ratio, gross external, soft tissue, or skeletal morphology occurred at 900 ppm in rats or rabbits. Minimal delays in the ossification of forepaw phalanges and hindpaw metatarsals and phalanges occurred in rat fetuses at 900 ppm; delays were considered marginal, reversible, and associated with severely reduced maternal weight gain. Therefore, the developmental NOAEL for rats was 450 ppm (45.0 mg/kg/day), whereas in rabbits it was 900 ppm (55.3 mg/kg/day). These NOAELs are 56,250 and 69,120 times the human adult exposure level of 0.0008 mg/kg/day, respectively. Based on the results of these studies, BDCM should not be identified as a risk to development of human conceptuses.

The effects of inhalation exposure to bromo-dichloromethane on specific rat CYP isoenzymes.

Several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes may be involved in the metabolism of bromo-dichloromethane (BDCM), a drinking water disinfection byproduct. After 4-h inhalation exposures of male F344 rats to BDCM between 100 and 3200 p.p.m., hepatic microsomal methoxyresorufin demethylase (MROD), ethoxyresorufin de-ethylease (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin dealkylase (PROD) activities showed modest increases at low exposure levels and larger decreases at high exposure levels, compared with controls. Western blots for CYP1A2 and CYP2B1 showed similar trends. In addition, p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNP) activity was measured and Western blots for CYP2E1 were performed. CYP2E1 and CYP2B1 isoenzymes are known to metabolize BDCM (Thornton-Manning, J.R., Gao, P., Lilly, P.D., Pegram, R.A., 1993. Acute bromodichloromethane toxicity in rats pretreated with cytochrome P450 inducers and inhibitors. The Toxicologist 13: 361). When compared with a multiple gavage study of BDCM in female F344 rats (Thornton-Manning, J.R., et al., 1994. Toxicology 94, 3-18), the results of the two studies for EROD, PROD, and PNP activities were qualitatively the same; PNP activity did not change, while both PROD and EROD activities decreased at high exposures. In the current work, Western blots for CYP2E1, CYP2B1 and CYP1A2 supported the results from the PNP, PROD and MROD activities, respectively. The decreases in MROD and PROD activities and in Western blots for CYP1A2 and CYP2B1 at high exposures suggest that BDCM may be a suicide substrate for these CYP isoenzymes. Other important conclusions that can be drawn from the comparison between the current and prior work are that the liver response is similar for both sexes, and it is also similar for inhalation and gavage exposures under these conditions. Finally, the decrease in EROD activity at high doses, found in both studies, may be a further reflection of CYP1A2 activity, since little or no CYP1A1 activity is normally found in uninduced rat liver and CYP1A2 is known to metabolize ethoxyresorufin, although much more slowly than CYP1A1.

Assessment of airborne exposure to trihalomethanes from tap water in residential showers and baths.

This study evaluates airborne concentrations of common trihalomethane (THM) compounds in bathrooms during showering and bathing in homes supplied with chlorinated tap water. Three homes in an urban area were selected, each having three bedrooms, a full bath, and approximately 1,000 square feet of living area. THMs were concurrently measured in tap water and air in the shower/bath enclosure and the bathroom vanity area using Summa canisters. Chloroform (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), and chlorodibromomethane (CDBM) were quantified using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method TO-14. Air samples were collected prior to, during, and after the water-use event for 16 shower and 7 bath events. Flow rate and temperature were measured, but not controlled. The increase in average airborne concentration (+/- standard error) during showers (expressed as microg/m3 in shower enclosure or bathroom air per microg/L in water) was 3.3+/-0.4 for TCM, 1.8+/-0.3 for BDCM, and 0.5+/-0.1 for CDBM (n = 12), and during baths was 1.2+/-0.4 for TCM, 0.59+/-0.21 for BDCM, and 0.15+/-0.05 for CDBM (n = 4). The relative contribution of each chemical to the airborne concentrations was consistent for all shower and bath events, with apparent release of TCM > BDCM > CDBM. The results are therefore consistent with their relative concentration in tap water and their vapor pressures. When the shower findings for TCM are normalized for water concentration, flow rate, shower volume, and duration, the average exposure concentrations in these urban residences are about 30% lower than those reported by other investigators using EPA analytical methods. This difference is likely attributable primarily to greater air exchange rates in residential shower/bath stalls compared to more "airtight" laboratory shower chambers. This appears to be the first field study to thoroughly evaluate THM exposures from residential showers and baths, and can be used to validate previously published models of tap water volatile chemical transfer to indoor air.