Vol.: 71 (1999) (p. 401)
CAS No.:
Chem. Abstr. Name: Tetrachloromethane
Exposure to carbon tetrachloride may occur in its production, in the production of refrigerants, in laboratories and during degreasing operations. It has been detected at low levels in ambient air and water.
5.2 Human carcinogenicity data
The risk of cancer from carbon tetrachloride has been examined in five occupational populations. In three of four studies that collected information on non-Hodgkin lymphoma (two cohort investigations and one independent nested case–control study), associations with exposure to carbon tetrachloride were suggested. However, not all of these studies distinguished exposure to carbon tetrachloride specifically, and the associations were not strong statistically. In the fourth study (another cohort investigation), few men were exposed to carbon tetrachloride and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was not reported. A nested case–control study of lung cancer in a cohort of chemical workers showed no association with exposure to carbon tetrachloride.
Four population-based case–control studies have examined associations of carbon tetrachloride with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, brain cancer, female breast cancer and intraocular melanoma. Findings were generally unremarkable. In a fifth case–control study, which examined several cancers, no association was found with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, although the power to detect an increased risk was low.
5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data
Carbon tetrachloride was tested for carcinogenicity by various routes of administration. It produced liver neoplasms in mice and rats and mammary neoplasms in rats following subcutaneous injection. In one study in mice by inhalation, an increased incidence of phaeochromocytomas was reported. In experiments involving administration of carbon tetrachloride after known carcinogens, the occurrence of tumours and/or preneoplastic lesions of the liver in mice, rats and hamsters was enhanced.
5.4 Other relevant data
Carbon tetrachloride is metabolized by CYP2 enzymes; several reactive metabolites have been postulated, including radicals and phosgene. In vitro, DNA binding of carbon tetrachloride is observed in several cellular systems; no such binding in vivo has been reported.
Carbon tetrachloride induces hepatic cell proliferation and DNA synthesis.
Carbon tetrachloride has a mutagenic effect and induces aneuploidy in several in-vitro systems.
5.5 Evaluation
There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of carbon tetrachloride.
There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of carbon tetrachloride.
Overall evaluation
Carbon tetrachloride is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Previous evaluations: Vol. 1 (1972); Vol. 20 (1979); Suppl. 7 (1987)
Synonyms
Last updated: 8 April 1999
See Also:
Toxicological Abbreviations
Carbon Tetrachloride (EHC 208, 1999)
Carbon Tetrachloride (HSG 108, 1998)
Carbon tetrachloride (ICSC)
Carbon tetrachloride (FAO Meeting Report PL/1965/10/2)
Carbon tetrachloride (FAO/PL:1967/M/11/1)
Carbon tetrachloride (FAO/PL:1968/M/9/1)
Carbon tetrachloride (WHO Pesticide Residues Series 1)
Carbon tetrachloride (Pesticide residues in food: 1979 evaluations)