MOLECULE

1,3-Dichlorobenzene

1,3-dichlorobenzene or m-Dichlorobenzene belongs to the class of organic compounds known as dichlorobenzenes. Dichlorobenzenes are compounds containing a benzene with exactly two chlorine atoms attached to it. m-Dichlorobenzene is possibly neutral. m-Dichlorobenzene is a potentially toxic compound. No direct experimental information is available regarding the reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of 1,3-dichlorobenzene in humans. However, a National Toxicology Program (NTP) study reported that 1,3-dichlorobenzene caused kidney tumors in male rats and liver tumors in both sexes of mice by gavage (experimentally placing the chemical in their stomachs). The liver damage caused in rats by m-Dichlorobenzene is accompanied by induction of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes of the phenobarbital type. In rats, a disturbance in thyroid homoeostasis can develop by hepatic enzyme induction: m-Dichlorobenzene induces glucuronosyl transferases. This leads to an increased release of T4 and T3 in the thyroid follicles. In humans, acute (short-term) exposure to 1,3-dichlorobenzene via inhalation, results in irritation of the skin, throat, and eyes. Chronic (long-term) 1,3-dichlorobenzene inhalation exposure results in effects on the liver, skin, and central nervous system (CNS). Dichlorobenzene has been detected as a volatile component of cannabis (PMID: 26657499) and, as such, it can also be detected as constituent of marijuana smoke (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-947-9_2).