Toxicological studies with the 1,3,5-triazine herbicide cyanazine

Acute and long-term mammalian toxicity studies were carried out with the 1,3,5-triazine herbicide cyanazine (I) and its two major plant and soil metabolites DW 43 85 (II) and DW 4394 (III). Depending upon the species used, the acute oral LD50 values for cyanazine ranged from 140-750 mg/kg, the values in any one species not being influenced by formulation. The acute, percutaneous LD50 values were greater than 1000 mg/kg, the maximum dose which could be administered. Cyanazine was non-irritant to eyes and skin and a non-sensitiser to skin. The acute oral LD50 in rats for (II) was 789 mg/kg and for (III) was >2000 mg/kg. In 13-week studies on cyanazine, reduced growth rates and organ weight changes were the most sensitive criteria of exposure, 25 parts/million in the diet of rats and 5 mg/kg orally dosed to dogs being considered to be without toxicological effect. In two year studies 12 parts/million in the diet of rats and 1.25 mg/kg, orally dosed to dogs produced no changes of toxicological significance. In 13-week studies with (II) and (III), intakes of up to 10 000 parts/million in the diet failed to produce any toxicologically significant changes.