Clinical and experimental neurotoxicity of 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroxy-5-methylhexane.

Seven workers developed weight loss, sensorimotor neuropathy, visual dysfunction, impaired mentation, and emotional lability shortly after the introduction of a new synthetic catalyst in a plant manufacturing reinforced bathtubs. The newly introduced catalyst, 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroxy-5-methylhexane, is shown to produce a similar syndrome in rats. Axonal degeneration of optic nerves, ascending and descending spinal tracts, and peripheral nerves appears to underlie this syndrome.

Neurotoxic properties of musk ambrette.

Musk ambrette (2,6-dinitro-3-methoxy-4-tert-butyltoluene), a nitro-musk compound widely used as a fixative in fragrance formulations and found to a lesser degree in flavor compositions, produces hindlimb weakness when administered in the diet or applied to skin of rats for periods up to 12 weeks. Underlying neuropathologic changes consist of primary demyelination and distal axonal degeneration in selected regions of the central and peripheral nervous system. Murine neurological disease induced by musk ambrette occurs at doses well above estimated maximum daily human exposure.