The Toxicity of Petroleum and Shale JP5.

Abstract : The toxicity of petroleum- and shale-derived jet propulsion fuel no. 5 (JP5) was evaluated in a series of acute average and subchronic inhalation studies with rats. In the gavage studies, the LD50/14 for rats was 26 ml/kg for Gary-Western shale, 39 ml/kg for Sohio shale and greater than 60 ml/kg for Exxon shale and petroleum JP5. Significant hepatic periportal fatty degeneration and renal eosinophilic hyaline droplets were observed for all fuels. Multiple hepatic cytoplasmic vacuoles were detected as early as 6 hours after both petroleum and Sohio shale JP5 exposures but were undetectable after 96 hours. Weight and consumption of food and water were reduced for 2 to 3 days after administration of petroleum or Sohio shale JP5. Activity markedly increased between 2.5 and 6 hours after dosing for both petroleum and Sohio shale JP5. The inhalation studies showed that water consumption increased after 8 days of exposure to petroleum or Sohio shale and remained elevated for the duration of the 30-day studies. However, no significant effects on tissue morphology or hepatic and renal serum chemistries were observed after exposure to petroleum or Sohio shale JP5, and peak amplitudes or latencies for the SEPs did not significantly change during the 30-day exposure to Sohio shale JP5.