Abstract  This article focuses on the syntheses of 25,27-bis[3-(N-ethylsulfonic acid)aminopropxy]-26,28-dihydroxy-5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene (3) and 25,27-bis[3-(N-ethyl-dihydrogen phosphate)aminopropxy]-26,28-dihydroxy-5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene (4) as well as their immobilization onto [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane-modified Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles, and the extraction abilities of four new extractants which were characterized by a combination of FTIR, (1)H NMR, elemental analyses, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) involving electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions between the calixarene and oxide anions such as arsenate and dichromate anions. The extraction results indicate that these new calixarene derivatives having high extraction capabilities would be used as effective extractants for the removal of the dichromate/arsenate ions from water.

Abstract  In this study, we found that rat nasal coumarin-7 hydroxylase (COH) activity was two orders of magnitude higher than rat hepatic COH activity and could be induced by adding coumarin to the rats' drinking water. In western blot analysis, an anti-cytochrome P450 (Cyp) 2a-5 (mouse liver COH) antibody recognized a sharp band in the microsomal fraction of rat nasal epithelium but not of the liver; the band comigrated with Cyp2a-5. The intensity of the band was increased by the coumarin treatment. Similarly, in northern blot analysis, a cDNA probe specific for Cyp2a-5 recognized an mRNA in the nasal epithelium having the same size as mouse liver Cyp2a-5 mRNA; however, no hybridizable mRNA was recognized in liver preparations. Unlike the protein level, the level of the mRNA was not increased by coumarin. When northern blot analyses were performed with two oligoprobes specific for rat lung CYP2A3, an mRNA of similar size to Cyp2a-5 mRNA was recognized. In immunoinhibition analysis, anti-Cyp2a-5 antibody inhibited rat nasal COH activity and aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) metabolism completely. It inhibited N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3- pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) metabolism by 80-90%. In contrast, the hepatic metabolism of the four compounds was not affected by the antibody. When coumarin instead of anti-Cyp2a-5 antibody was used, a strong but variable inhibition of the nasal metabolism of AFB(1), NDEA, and NNK was seen. The results suggest that an enzyme or enzymes similar to mouse liver Cyp2a-5, one of which may be CYP2A3, is expressed at high levels in rat nasal epithelium but not in the liver and that its expression is increased by coumarin, an odorant and a substrate of Cyp2a-5. The increase probably occurs by protein stabilization or stimulation of translation. The results also show that the enzyme has a key role in the nasal metabolism of three well-known carcinogens, AFB(1), NDEA, and NNK and may therefore be an important contributing factor in nasal carcinogenesis. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Abstract  The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) are important nuclear receptors involved in the regulation of cellular responses from exposure to many xenobiotics and various physiological processes. Phenobarbital (PB) is a non-genotoxic indirect CAR activator, which induces cytochrome P450 (CYP) and other xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and is known to produce liver foci/tumors in mice and rats. From literature data, a mode of action (MOA) for PB-induced rodent liver tumor formation was developed. A MOA for PXR activators was not established owing to a lack of suitable data. The key events in the PB-induced liver tumor MOA comprise activation of CAR followed by altered gene expression specific to CAR activation, increased cell proliferation, formation of altered hepatic foci and ultimately the development of liver tumors. Associative events in the MOA include altered epigenetic changes, induction of hepatic CYP2B enzymes, liver hypertrophy and decreased apoptosis; with inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication being an associative event or modulating factor. The MOA was evaluated using the modified Bradford Hill criteria for causality and other possible MOAs were excluded. While PB produces liver tumors in rodents, important species differences were identified including a lack of cell proliferation in cultured human hepatocytes. The MOA for PB-induced rodent liver tumor formation was considered to be qualitatively not plausible for humans. This conclusion is supported by data from a number of epidemiological studies conducted in human populations chronically exposed to PB in which there is no clear evidence for increased liver tumor risk.

Abstract  Fuel oxygenates are environmentally detrimental compounds due to their rapid migration to groundwater. Fuel oxygenates have been reported to cause taste and odour problems in drinking water, and they also have long-term health effects. Feasible analytical methods are required to observe the presence of fuel oxygenates in drinking and natural water. The authors studied ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) to determinate isomeric fuel ether oxygenates; ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), diisopropyl ether (DIPE), and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), separated from aqueous matrices with a pervaporation membrane module. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was also membrane extracted and detected with IMS. The authors demonstrated that fuel ethers (MTBE, ETBE, DIPE, and TAME) can be quantified at μg/L level with membrane extraction IMS. A membrane extraction module coupled to IMS is a time and cost effective analysis method because sampling can be performed in a single procedure and from different natural water matrices within a few minutes. Consequently, IMS combined with membrane extraction is suitable not only for waterworks and other online applications but also in the field monitoring the quality of drinking and natural water.

Abstract  Carcinogenicity of ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE) was examined with inhalation exposure using F344/DuCrlCrlj rats. Groups of 50 male and 50 female rats, 6 week old at commencement, were exposed to ETBE at 0, 500, 1,500 or 5,000 ppm (v/v) in whole-body inhalation chambers for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 104 weeks. A significant increase in the incidence of hepatocellular adenomas was indicated in males exposed at 5,000 ppm, but not in females at any concentration. In addition, significantly increased incidences of eosinophilic and basophilic cell foci were observed in male rats at 5,000 ppm. Regarding non-neoplastic lesions, rat-specific changes were observed in kidney, with an increase in the severity of chronic progressive nephropathy in both sexes at 5,000 ppm. Increased incidences of urothelial hyperplasia of the pelvis were observed at 1,500 ppm and above, and mineral deposition was apparent in the renal papilla at 5,000 ppm in males. There were no treatment-related histopathological changes observed in any other organs or tissues in either sex. The present 2-year inhalation study demonstrated hepatotumorigenicity of ETBE in male, but not in female rats.

Abstract  To elucidate possible mode of action (MOA) and human relevance of hepatotumorigenicity in rats for ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), male F344 rats were administered ETBE at doses of 0, 150 and 1000 mg/kg body weight twice a day by gavage for 1 and 2 weeks. For comparison, non-genotoxic carcinogen phenobarbital (PB) was applied at a dose of 500 ppm in diet. Significant increase of P450 total content and hydroxyl radical levels by low, high doses of ETBE and PB treatments at weeks 1 and 2, and 8-OHdG formation at week 2, accompanied accumulation of CYP2B1/2B2, CYP3A1/3A2 and CYP2C6, and downregulation of DNA oxoguanine glycosylase 1, induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in hepatocytes, respectively. Up-regulation of CYP2E1 and CYP1A1 at weeks 1 and 2, and peroxisome proliferation at week 2 were found in high dose ETBE group. Results of proteome analysis predicted activation of upstream regulators of gene expression altered by ETBE including constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane-X-receptor (PXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). These results indicate that the MOA of ETBE hepatotumorigenicity in rats may be related to induction of oxidative stress, 8-OHdG formation, subsequent cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, suggesting regenerative cell proliferation after week 2, predominantly via activation of CAR and PXR nuclear receptors by a mechanism similar to that of PB, and differentially by activation of PPARs. The MOA for ETBE hepatotumorigenicity in rats is unlikely to be relevant to humans.

Abstract  The effects of ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE) on two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis in male F344 rats initiated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) were investigated at various dose levels with regard to possible promoting activity. Groups of 30 rats were given drinking water containing 500 ppm BBN, as an initiator, for 4 weeks and starting one week thereafter received ETBE by gavage (daily, 7 days/week) at dose levels of 0 (control), 100, 300, 500 or 1000 mg/kg/day until experimental week 36. No statistically significant differences in incidences of preneoplastic lesions, papillomas, and carcinomas of the urinary bladder were evident in rats treated with 100-1000 mg/kg/day ETBE as compared with control values. Furthermore, the average numbers of preneoplastic or neoplastic lesions per unit length of basement membrane in rats given 100-1000 mg/kg/day ETBE were also comparable to control values. However, papillomatosis of the urinary bladder was found in 4 out of 30 rats (13%) in the group given 1000 mg/kg/day ETBE, and soft stones in the urinary bladder were found in 3 out of these 4 rats. The results thus demonstrated that ETBE did not exert promotional activity on urinary bladder carcinogenesis. However, papillomatosis of the urinary bladder developed in small numbers of the rats given ETBE at 1000 mg/kg/day but not in rats given 500 mg/kg/day or lower doses.

Abstract  The environmental pollution crisis and the new environmental legislations have facilitated the need for cleaner-burning gasoline. Oxygenate additives, which can increase the octane rating and induce complete fuel combustion, play increasingly important roles in the development of a greener and more sustainable environment. In this short review, one of the better-known oxygenate additives, ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), is discussed; this compound gained interest after the limitations and negative impacts caused by the addition of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) to gasoline were discovered. The discussion focuses on the trends in ETBE production and on the evolution of conventional separation techniques toward the development of hybrid processes. Moreover, a new concept that involves the use of nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes) in the production and separation of ETBE is proposed and discussed.

Abstract  A magnetic field enhanced photoelectron ionization (MEPEI) source combined with single photon ionization (SPI) for membrane inlet time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used for on-line detection of ether gasoline additive. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), methyl tert-amyl ether (TAME) and isopropyl ether (DIPE) were selected as the typical pollutants. A membrane inlet was used to transfer the analytes from liquid into gas phase in an on-line manner by pervaporization without sample pretreatment. Less sample fragments were in SPI, and molecular ions could be used to quick preliminarily qualitative analysis; high energy electrons and fragmentations produced by MEPEI can be used to accurate qualitative isomers and overcame the problem of resolution of overlapping peaks in complex matrix when using direct injection. Under the optimal conditions such as membrane temperature 60 degrees C, membrane thicknesses 50 mu m and membrane areas 160 cm(2), the single sample analysis time was less than 100 s, and the limits of detection for MTBE, ETBE, TAME and DIPE were 5.5, 4.8, 3.3 and 4.3 mu g/L, respectively. The instrument has been successfully applied to rapid analysis of MTBE in simulated water by gasoline.

Abstract  Vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE), excess molar enthalpies (H-E), and excess molar volumes (V-E) provide complementary data for thermodynamic models. In this work, new data of binary mixtures of acetonitrile (ACN) or propanenitrile (PPN) with 2-ethoxy-2-methylpropane (ETBE) or 2-ethoxy-2-methylbutane (TAEE) are reported. Isothermal VLE data were measured by using a circulation still at 333 K for ETBE + ACN, at 343 K for TAEE + ACN, and at 363 K for TAEE + PPN. H-E were measured by using a SETARAM C80 calorimeter equipped with a flow mixing cell at 298 K for all four binary systems. V-E were measured by using an Anton Paar DMA 512P densimeter at 298 K for all four binary systems. H-E data and measured VLE data, or literature VLE data for the binary system of ETBE and PPN, were used for the optimization of Wilson model parameters by using VLEFIT software. Redlich-Kister equation parameters were separately regressed for the V-E data.

Abstract  RATIONALE: HM781-36B (1-[4-[4-(3,4-dichloro-2-fluorophenylamino)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yloxy]-piperidin-1-yl]prop-2-en-1-one hydrochloride) is a new anticancer drug to treat advanced solid tumors in clinical trial. In order to understand the behavior of HM781-36B in vitro and in vivo we validated an analytical method for HM781-36B and its major metabolites in plasma.

METHODS: In vivo and in vitro metabolism of HM781-36B was studied in dog plasma, urine and feces as well as using human and dog liver microsomes with extraction by ethyl acetate or methyl tert-butyl ether, respectively, and successfully separated by high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD/MS). Ten metabolites were identified by LC/ESI-ion trap mass spectrometry (MS, MS(2) , MS(3) and MRM) and LC/Q-TOF-MS/MS for exact mass measurement. For accurate characterization of the major metabolites, authentic standards (M1, M2, M4, and M10) were synthesized.

RESULTS: Ten metabolites of HM781-36B in an in vitro mixture were separated and identified by LC/ESI-MS(n) . The MS/MS spectral patterns of the parent drug and metabolites exhibited two characteristic ions (A- and B-type ions) attributed to the cleavage of the ether bond between the piperidine ring and the quinazoline ring, providing important information on the site of chemical conversion during the metabolism. Six hydroxylated derivatives including dehalogenation and demethylation, two N-oxide forms, a demethylated form and de-acryloylpiperideine metabolites were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: The LC/ESI-ion trap MS(n) technique was effective in obtaining structural information and yielded diagnostic ions for the identification of diverse metabolites. The multiple metabolic pathways of HM781-36B were suggested in in vitro and in vivo samples and the dihydroxylation (M1) and demethylation (M2) appeared to be the major metabolites.

Abstract  We disclose the discovery of a novel series of tetrahydropyrido-pyrazoles that are potent inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide and cannabinoid receptor subtype 1 (CB₁). We report herein the synthesis and neuropharmacological screening results of the titled compounds in two acute pain and two neuropathic pain models in rodents. Particularly the analogue N-(4-bromophenyl)-3-tert-butyl-5-ethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-1-carboxamide (8a) exhibited pronounced acute antinociceptive efficacy, also being effective in chronic constriction injury (ED₅₀ = 23.8 mg/kg) and partial sciatic nerve injury (ED₅₀ = 29.0 mg/kg) models with CB₁ receptor activity (IC₅₀ = 49.6 nM) and inhibitory effect on TNF-α (86.4% inhibition at 100 mg/kg). These results suggest the importance of the development of this lead as multi-targeted treatment strategy for neuropathic pain.

Abstract  To provide guidance on the selection of proper persulfate processes for the remediation of MTBE contaminated groundwater, MTBE aqueous solutions were treated with three common field persulfate processes including heat activated persulfate, Fe(III)-EDTA activated persulfate and alkaline persulfate, respectively. The results were compared with MTBE oxidation by Fenton's reagent and persulfate alone at 25°C. The impact of the activating conditions on the fate of MTBE and its daughter products was investigated. Heat activation at 40°C offered the most rapid removal of MTBE and its daughter products, while Fe(III)-EDTA activation showed higher efficiency of MTBE removal but low removal efficiency of its daughter products. On the other hand, alkaline persulfate showed slower kinetics for the removal of MTBE and less accumulation of the daughter products. Furthermore, tert-butyl alcohol and acetone were observed as the main purgeable daughter products along with a small amount of tert-butyl formate in persulfate oxidation of MTBE, while tert-butyl formate, tert-butyl alcohol and acetone were the main products in Fenton oxidation. Mechanistic analysis suggests that degradation of MTBE by persulfate most likely happens via non-oxygen demand pathways, different from the dominant oxygen demand degradation pathways observed in Fenton oxidation.

Abstract  t -Butyl alcohol is widely used in the manufacture of perfumes and a variety of cosmetics. It is also used as a raw material in the production of isobutylene, which may be used to produce methyl tertiary butyl ether, a common gasoline additive, or to produce butyl elastomers used in the production of automobile tires. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were given t -butyl alcohol (greater than 99% pure) in drinking water for 13 weeks or 2 years. The genetic toxicity of t -butyl alcohol was assessed by testing the ability of the chemical to induce mutations in various strains of Salmonella typhimurium and in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and by measuring the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in mouse peripheral blood. 13-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats were given 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 13 weeks. All males and six females given 40 mg/mL died during the study. Final mean body weights of 10 and 20 mg/mL males and of 40 mg/mL females were 12%, 17%, or 21% less than those of the corresponding controls, respectively. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activities in 10 and 20 mg/mL males were greater than that in the controls after 13 weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity in 40 mg/mL females was greater than that in the controls after 2 weeks and greater in all exposed females after 13 weeks. Urine volumes of 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL males and females decreased, and urine specific gravity values increased. Transitional epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation of the urinary bladder were observed in 20 and 40 mg/mL males and 40 mg/mL females. Absolute and relative liver weights of all exposed groups of females and relative liver weights of 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL males were significantly greater than those of the controls. Absolute and relative kidney weights of all exposed groups of males and females were significantly greater than those of the controls. Incidences of mineralization of the kidney were significantly increased in 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL males. The severity of nephropathy in 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL males was significantly greater than that of the controls as was the accumulation of hyaline droplets in the kidney of 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL males. The incidences of nephropathy in 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL females were significantly greater than that of the controls. 13-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female B6C3F1 mice were given 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 13 weeks. The deaths of two males and one female in the 40 mg/mL group were attributed to exposure to t -butyl alcohol. The final mean body weights of 20 and 40 mg/mL males and 40 mg/mL females were significantly lower than those of the controls. There were no biologically significant differences in hematology parameters of exposed and control groups of mice. Transitional epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation were observed in the urinary bladder of 20 and 40 mg/mL males and 40 mg/mL females. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 60 F344/N rats were given 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol (males) or 0, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol (females) in drinking water for 2 years. These correspond to average daily doses of approximately 90, 200, or 420 mg t -butyl alcohol/kg body weight for males and approximately 180, 330, or 650 mg t -butyl alcohol/kg body weight for females. Ten rats per group were evaluated after 15 months of chemical administration. Survival, Body Weights, and Water Consumption: Survival rates of 5 mg/mL males and 10 mg/mL females were significantly lower than those of the controls. The final mean body weights of exposed groups of males were 15% to 24% lower than that of the controls, and the final mean body weight of 10 mg/mL females was 21% lower than that of the controls. Water consumption by males increased with dose; water consumption by females decreased with dose. Hematology and Urinalysis: At the 15-month inte. Hematology and Urinalysis: At the 15-month interim evaluation, there were no significant differences in hematology parameters in males and females, and there were no significant differences in urinalysis parameters in males. Females given 5 or 10 mg/mL had increased urine specific gravities and decreased urine volumes. Pathology Findings: At the 15-month interim evaluation, relative kidney weights of 2.5 and 5 mg/mL males and absolute and relative kidney weights of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL females were significantly greater than those of the controls. At 2 years, the incidence of mineralization in the kidney increased with dose and that of 5 mg/mL males was significantly greater than that of the controls. In the standard evaluation at the end of the study, the incidences of focal renal tubule hyperplasia and of adenoma were increased in exposed males and a carcinoma was observed in one 5 mg/mL male. Renal tubule hyperplasia occurred in one 10 mg/mL female. An extended evaluation of the kidney identified additional male rats with hyperplasia (control, 11/50; 1.25 mg/mL, 13/50; 2.5 mg/mL, 11/50; 5 mg/mL, 19/50) and renal tubule adenoma (7/50, 8/50, 15/50, 10/50); renal tubule carcinomas were identified in two 1.25 mg/mL males and in one 2.5 mg/mL male. Renal tubule adenoma was identified in one 5 mg/mL male from the 15-month extended evaluation. In the standard and extended evaluations combined, there were dose-related increased incidences of hyperplasia and adenoma. The severity of nephropathy and the incidence and severity of transitional cell hyperplasia of the kidney were increased in exposed male and female rats. Linear foci of mineralization were present in the renal papilla of exposed males. 2-YEAR STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 60 male and 60 female B6C3F1 mice were given 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 2 years. Exposure levels of 5, 10, or 20 mg/mL delivered average daily doses of approximately 540, 1,040, or 2,070 mg t -butyl alcohol/kg body weight to males and approximately 510, 1,020, or 2,110 mg/kg to females. Survival, Body Weights, and Water Consumption: Survival of 20 mg/mL males was significantly lower than that of the controls. The final mean body weights of exposed groups of males were similar to those of the controls. The mean body weights of females given 20 mg/mL were 10% to 15% lower than those of the controls from week 13 to the end of the study. Water consumption by exposed groups of males and females was similar to that by the controls. Pathology Findings: Incidences of thyroid gland follicular cell hyperplasia were significantly increased in all exposed groups of males and in 10 and 20 mg/mL females. The incidence of follicular cell adenoma or carcinoma (combined) was marginally increased in 10 mg/mL males (0 mg/mL, 1/60; 5 mg/mL, 0/59; 10 mg/mL, 4/59; 20 mg/mL, 2/57). The incidence of follicular cell adenoma was significantly increased in 20 mg/mL females (2/58, 3/60, 2/59, 9/59). The incidences of chronic inflammation and transitional epithelial hyperplasia of the urinary bladder were increased in 20 mg/mL males and to a lesser extent in 20 mg/mL females. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: t -Butyl alcohol was tested for induction of genetic damage in vitro and in vivo, and all results were negative. In vitro, t -butyl alcohol was negative in Salmonella typhimurium and mouse lymphoma cell mutation tests, and it did not induce sister chromatid exchanges or chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. These in vitro studies were conducted with and without metabolic activation (S9). In vivo, no increase in micronucleated erythrocytes was observed in peripheral blood samples from mice administered t -butyl alcohol in drinking water for 13 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year drinking water studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of t -butyl alcohol in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of renal tubule adenoma or carcinoma (combined). There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity in female F344/N rats receiving 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/mL t -butyl alcohol. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of t -butyl alcohol in male B6C3F1 mice based on the marginally increased incidences of follicular cell adenoma or carcinoma (combined) of the thyroid gland. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of t -butyl alcohol in female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of follicular cell adenoma of the thyroid gland. Exposure to t -butyl alcohol was associated with mineralization and renal tubule hyperplasia in male rats, transitional epithelial hyperplasia and increased severity of nephropathy of the kidney in male and female rats, follicular cell hyperplasia of the thyroid gland in male and female mice, and chronic inflammation and hyperplasia of the urinary bladder in male mice and to a lesser extent in female mice. Synonyms: 2-Methyl-2-propanol, 2-methylpropan-2-ol, TBA, t -butanol, tertiary butyl alcohol, t -butyl hydroxide, trimethyl carbinol, trimethyl methanol

Abstract  In compliance with the Clean Air Act Section 211(b) for fuel and fuel additive registration, the petroleum industry has conducted a series of comparative multi-endpoint studies of evaporative fractions of seven vapor condensates of gasoline (GVC), or gasoline+ether [methyl t- butyl ether (G/MTBE), ethyl t-butyl ether (G/ETBE), t-amyl methyl ether (G/TAME), diisopropyl ether (G/DIPE)], or alcohol [ethanol (G/EtOH), t-butyl (G/TBA)] oxygenates. Here we present results from micronucleus (MN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) tests. Sprague- Dawley rats (5/sex/group used for both studies) were exposed to target concentrations of 0, 2000, 10000, or 20000mg/m3 of each test material, 6 hr/day, 5d/wk for 4 weeks. Positive control groups (5 rats/sex/group) were used for each study; rats were given cyclophosphamide IP, 24hr prior to sacrifice at doses of 5mg/kg for the SCE study and 40mg/kg for the MN study. At treatment end, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta for the SCE test [cultures established within 24 hr of collection], and femurs removed for the MN test. Femoral bone marrow was prepared and stained using a modified Feulgen method. Approx. 21hr after initiation of culture, cells were exposed to 5ug/ml bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU); colcemid was given at 68hr of culture. Cells were harvested after 72hr in culture and processed for SCE evaluation. No significant increased incidence of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes was observed for any test material. Statistically significant increases in SCE over several doses were observed in rats given GVC alone or G/MTBE; females appeared more sensitive than males. G/TAME induced increased SCE in both sexes at the highest dose only. Although several instances of increased SCE were observed in cultured lymphocytes, gasoline and gasoline/oxygenate blends did not induce cytogenetic effects in bone marrow of exposed animals. Results of these studies will be used for comparative risk assessment of gasoline and gasoline/oxygenate blends.

Abstract  When methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline was first introduced to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions and comply with the Clean Air Act, in the United States, a pattern of complaints emerged characterised by seven "key symptoms." Later, carefully controlled volunteer studies did not confirm the existence of the specific key symptoms, although one study of self-reported sensitive (SRS) people did suggest that a threshold at about 11-15% MTBE in gasoline may exist for SRSs in total symptom scores. Neurobehavioral and psychophysiological studies on volunteers, including SRSs, found no adverse responses associated with MTBE at likely exposure levels. MTBE is well and rapidly absorbed following oral and inhalation exposures. Cmax values for MTBE are achieved almost immediately after oral dosing and within 2 h of continuous inhalation. It is rapidly eliminated, either by exhalation as unchanged MTBE or by urinary excretion of its less volatile metabolites. Metabolism is more rapid humans than in rats, for both MTBE and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), its more persistent primary metabolite. The other primary metabolite, formaldehyde, is detoxified at a rate very much greater than its formation from MTBE. MTBE has no specific effects on reproduction or development, or on genetic material. Neurological effects were observed only at very high concentrations. In carcinogenicity studies of MTBE, TBA, and methanol (included as an endogenous precursor of formaldehyde, without the presence of TBA), some increases in tumor incidence have been observed, but consistency of outcome was lacking and even some degree of replication was observed in only three cases, none of which had human relevance: alpha(2u)-globulin nephropathy-related renal tubule cell adenoma in male rats; Leydig-cell adenoma in male rats, but not in mice, which provide the better model of the human disease; and B-cell-derived lymphoma/leukemia of doubtful pathogenesis that arose mainly in lungs of orally dosed female rats. In addition, hepatocellular adenomas were significantly higher in female CD-1 mice and thyroid follicular-cell adenomas were increased in female B6C3F1 mice treated with TBA, but these results lack any independent confirmation, which would have been possible from a number of other studies.

Abstract  #311 chemicals were tested under code, for mutagenicity, in Salmonella typhimurium; 35 of the chemicals were tested more than once in the same or different laboratories. The tests were conducted using a preincubation protocol in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation, and in the presence of liver S-9 from Aroclor-induced male Sprague-Dawley rats and Syrian hamsters. Some of the volatile chemicals were also tested in desiccators. A total of 120 chemicals were mutagenic or weakly mutagenic, 3 were judged questionable, and 172 were non-mutagenic. The remaining 16 chemicals produced different responses in the two or three laboratories in which they were tested. The results and data from these tests are presented.

Abstract  This study proposes an azeotropic ETBE/ethanol mixture as a possible oxygenated additive for the formulation of eurosuper-type gasolines. Two eurosuper gasolines with different chemical compositions and well defined characteristics of density, volatility and octane numbers are used. Gasoline formulations containing azeotropic mixtures display an intermediary behavior between that of ETBE (ethyl tert-butyl ether) and ethanol in gasoline blends. Formulations containing this additive offer advantages over ethanol (low volatility and low solubility in water) and ETBE (higher octane number and lower production cost). Gasolines with azeotropic additives show lower Reid vapor pressures (RVPs) than gasolines formulated with ethanol, and therefore low levels of volatile organic compounds, similarly to highly pure ETBE. The use of the azeotropic mixture containing ethanol (renewable, deriving from biomass) and ETBE (produced from ethanol and isobutene) in its formulation is environmentally attractive in industrialized countries due to the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.