Toxicology studies of bromodichloroacetic acid in F344/N rats and B6C3F1/N mice and toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of bromodichloroacetic acid in F344/NTac rats and B6C3F1/N mice (drinking water studies).

Bromodichloroacetic acid is a haloacetic acid that forms when drinking water supplies containing natural organic matter are disinfected with chlorine-containing oxidizing compounds and when bromide is present in the source water. Bromodichloroacetic acid was nominated for toxicity and carcinogenicity studies by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency because of widespread human exposure to this water disinfection by-product and because related dihaloacetic acids were found to be carcinogenic to the liver of rats and mice. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1/N mice were exposed to bromodichloroacetic acid (greater than 97% pure) in drinking water for 2 weeks or 3 months, and male and female F344/NTac rats and B6C3F1/N mice were exposed for 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. (Abstract Abridged).