Abstract
The explosive, octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine or high-melting explosive (HMX), has been found in soils in areas used for testing and training by the military. Many of these areas contain habitat for valued wildlife species. In an effort to better understand the environmental consequences from exposure, a reptilian (western fence lizard [Sceloporus occidentalis]), an amphibian (red-backed salamander [Plethodon cinereus]), and a mammalian species (rabbit [Oryctolagus cuniculus]) were exposed to HMX under controlled laboratory conditions. Lizards and rabbits were exposed to HMX by way of corn oil through gavage, and salamanders were exposed to HMX in soil. Two deaths occurred from acute oral exposures to lizards to 5000 mg HMX/kg BW. Histological and gross pathologic assessment suggested gut impaction as a possible cause of death. Salamanders exposed to concentrations of HMX in soil ≤1970 mg HMX/kg soil for 10 days did not show adverse effects. Rabbits, however, showed neurologic effects manifested as hyperkinetic events with convulsions at >24 h after oral exposures. An LD50 for rabbits was calculated as 93 mg/kg (95% confidence interval 76–117). A subacute 14-day testing regime found a lowest observed effect level of 10 mg/kg-d and a no observed adverse effect level of 5 mg/kg-d based on hyperkinesia and seizure incidence, although changes suggesting functional hepatic alterations were also found. These data suggest that physiologic differences between species, particularly in gastrointestinal structure and function, can affect the absorption of HMX and hence lead to marked differences in toxicity from exposure to the same compound.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Curtis Oliver and Michael Hable for analytic chemistry support, Patricia Beall for laboratory coordination, Kristie Mozzachio and Kyleigh Mahard for histopathology, and Ann Schiavetta for veterinary care. This work was funded by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development (SERDP) program through ER1420. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the United States Army. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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Johnson, M.S., McFarland, C.A., Bazar, M.A. et al. Toxicity of Octahydro-1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-Tetrazocine (HMX) in Three Vertebrate Species. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58, 836–843 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9431-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9431-7