Chronic toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran for rhesus macaques

Abstract

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) at levels of 50 and 5 μg/kg (ppb) in food caused sickness and some deaths in groups of three rhesus macaques fed for 2 months and 6 months, respectively. The principal pathological changes were atrophy or squamous metaplasia of the sebaceous glands, mucous metaplasia and hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa; involution of the thymus and hypoplasia of the bone marrow. In animals that did not die during the experimental feeding, recovery was complete after 3 months of a TCDF-free diet.