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International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

PIPERONYL BUTOXIDE

VOL.: 30 (1983) (p. 183)

CAS No.: 51-03-6
Chem. Abstr. Name: 1,3-Benzodioxole, 5[(2-[2-butoxyethoxy]ethoxy)methyl]-6-propyl

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Experimental data

Piperonyl butoxide was tested for carcinogenicity in two studies in rats and in three studies in mice by oral administration. It was also tested in mice of three strains by subcutaneous administration (in one, neonatally). No statistically significant incidence of tumours was observed in mice or rats.

Treatment of rats with high doses of piperonyl butoxide during organogenesis did not affect foetal development; however, its continued administration at high dose levels for three generations caused reduction in the number of pregnancies and offspring.

Piperonyl butoxide has been reported to be nonmutagenic to bacteria, silkworms and cultured mammalian cells. A dominant lethal study in mice was inconclusive. Lack of availability to the Group of much of the detailed data prevented overall evaluation of the mutagenicity of piperonyl butoxide, but all cited results have been negative.

5.2 Human data

Piperonyl butoxide was developed in 1947. Its production, formulation and use as an insecticide synergist in a variety of nonagricultural and agricultural applications are potential sources of exposure, both of workers and of the general population.

The available data were insufficient to evaluate the teratogenicity of piperonyl butoxide to humans. No data were available to evaluate its chromosomal effects in humans.

No case report or epidemiological study of the carcinogenicity of piperonyl butoxide alone was available to the Working Group. (See also the section 'Cancer Epidemiology of Pesticide Manufacturers, Formulators and Users', in this volume.)

5.3 Evaluation

The available data do not provide evidence that piperonyl butoxide is carcinogenic to experimental animals. No data on humans were available.

The available data provide no evidence that piperonyl butoxide is likely to present a carcinogenic risk to humans.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 70: Group 3)

Synonyms


Last updated: 9 April 1998




























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Piperonyl butoxide (ICSC)
       Piperonyl Butoxide (FAO Meeting Report PL/1965/10/1)
       Piperonyl butoxide (FAO/PL:CP/15)
       Piperonyl butoxide (FAO/PL:1967/M/11/1)
       Piperonyl Butoxide (FAO/PL:1969/M/17/1)
       Piperonyl butoxide (WHO Pesticide Residues Series 2)
       Piperonyl butoxide (Pesticide residues in food: 1992 evaluations Part II Toxicology)
       Piperonyl butoxide (Pesticide residues in food: 1995 evaluations Part II Toxicological & Environmental)