p-Toluenesulfonamide is non-volatile stable solid, and the production volume is ca. 1700 tonnes and 1000 tonnes for 1985 and 1991, respectively, in Japan. Canada and Sweden imported less than 100 kg in 1992. p-Toluenesulfonamide is used mainly as intermediate for pesticides and drugs in closed system, but is used as additive to outdoor paints in Sweden. It is stable in neutral, acidic or alkaline solutions, and is classified as “not readily biodegradable”.
The fact that p-Toluenesulfonamide (CAS NO:70-55-3)is slightly toxic to algae, but non-toxic to fish and daphnids, implies the environmental risk presumably to be low. The PEC is lower than the MTC.
p-Toluenesulfonamide showed no genotoxic effects, and LOAEL for repeated dose toxicity was 120mg/kg/day and NOAEL for reproductive toxicity was 300 mg/kg/day. Estimated dose of low concern (EDLC) was calculated as 0.024 mg/kg/day and 0.6 mg/kg/day for repeated dose toxicity and reproductive toxicity, respectively. Daily intake of the chemical was estimated as 4.36-E-5mg/day from calculation using MNSEM 145I exposure model.
Therefore, health risks from general environment presumably to be low because estimated human exposure (EHE) level of this chemical is lower than the EDLC.
In conclusion, although p-Toluenesulfonamide is persistent and toxicological tests showed moderate toxicity, no further testing is needed at present considerering its use pattern and exposure levels.
In Sweden, p-Toluenesulfonamide is used as a preservative of all types of outdoor paints (one or more formulation paints). From present information on uses, consumer exposure seems to be low because this chemical is used mainly as raw material for synthesis of pesticides, drugs and fluorescent colorants in closed system.
Processes are closed system except drying and packaging. Exposure will be considered in drying process (2.5 hour/tonne product) and packaging process (1.25 hour/tonne product). No data on work place monitoring have been reported. Occupational exposure seems to be low.
Based upon the available information, although p-Toluenesulfonamide is persistent and toxicological tests showed moderate toxicity, no further testing is needed at present considering its exposure levels and use pattern.
Continuation of data collection on exposure will be recommended.If p-Toluenesulfonamide(CAS NO:70-55-3) is used largely in consumer products in the future, long-term repeated dose toxicity test may be needed, because histopathological changes of urinary bladder and thymus were observed in combined repeat/repro. toxicity test. Also, monitoring of p-Toluenesulfonamide in the production site may be recommended for the prevention of occupational exposure.
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