Evaluation of 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) in a combined irritancy and Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) in mice

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 105; pp. 99 - 105
• Main Authors: Johnson, Victor J., Auerbach, Scott S., Luster, Michael I., Waidyanatha, Suramya, Masten, Scott A., Wolfe, Mary S., Burleson, Florence G., Burleson, Gary R., Germolec, Dori R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2017
• Subjects: 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol; Allergic contact; Animals; Cyclohexanes - analysis; Cyclohexanes - toxicity; Dermal hypersensitivity; Dermal irritancy; Dermatitis (ACD); Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - etiology; Elk River spill; Female; Humans; Irritants - analysis; Irritants - toxicity; Local Lymph Node Assay; Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA); Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Skin Irritancy Tests; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; DPM; AOO; Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA); ACD; CDC; Elk River spill; DNFB; NTP; Dermal irritancy; Dermal hypersensitivity; LLNA; 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol; Dermatitis (ACD); SI; ICCVAM; Allergic contact; 125IUdR; MCHM
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.03.034

4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) is a flotation reagent used in fine coal beneficiation. On January 9, 2014, crude MCHM, a mixture containing predominantly MCHM, was inadvertently released into the Elk River, a municipal water source that serves about 300,000 people in the Charleston, WV area, resulting in temporary contamination of 15 percent of the state's tap water and causing significant dermal exposure. The current studies were undertaken to determine whether crude MCHM or MCHM has the potential to produce dermal irritancy and/or sensitization. BALB/c female mice were treated daily for 3 consecutive days by direct epicutaneous application of 25 μL of various concentrations of crude MCHM or MCHM to the dorsum of each ear. A mouse ear-swelling test was used to determine irritancy potential and was undertaken in combination with the standardized Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) to determine skin sensitizing potential. MCHM was found to produce skin irritation at concentrations above 20% and did not produce sensitization. Crude MCHM also produced irritation, although weaker, and in addition was found to be a weak to moderate skin sensitizer. The results are discussed in terms of potential human health hazard. •Crude MCHM was the primary contaminant spilled from a chemical storage tank into the Elk River.•In animal models, MCHM (pure) produces skin irritation at concentrations above 20%.•In animal models, crude but not purified MCHM was a weak to moderate skin sensitizer.