Chloromethyl Methyl Ether (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 4, 1974)

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

CHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER

VOL.: 4 (1974) (p. 239)

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Animal carcinogenicity data

Chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME) is almost invariably contaminated by bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME), and the latter may be responsible for at least part of the observed carcinogenic activity. Such contaminated CMME has been found to be carcinogenic on subcutaneous injection in the mouse and possibly to be an initiator for mouse skin tumours. Inhalation in mice and subcutaneous injection in the rat produced equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity.

5.2 Human carcinogenicity data

One study based on 4 cases of oat cell lung cancer observed amongst 111 workers exposed to CMME (and its associated BCME impurity), followed for 5 years, suggests an increased risk of lung cancer.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987)

Last updated: 17 March 1998





























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Chloromethyl methyl ether (ICSC)