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

VINYL CHLORIDE

VOL.: 7 (1974) (p. 291)

5.1 Animal carcinogenicity data

Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is carcinogenic in mice and rats following exposure by inhalation. The tumours in mice were mainly lung tumours, mammary carcinomas and angiosarcomas (malignant haemangioendotheliomas) of the liver. Angiosarcomas of the liver and other organs, Zymbal gland carcinomas and nephroblastomas occurred in exposed rats. Preliminary studies have suggested that VCM also produces subcutaneous angiosarcomas in the offspring of rats that have been exposed during pregnancy.

5.2 Human carcinogenicity data

In view of the extreme rarity of angiosarcoma of the liver in the general population, the observation of 16 cases in workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer during the polymerization process is evidence of a causal relationship.

Subsequent evaluation: Vol. 19 (1979); Suppl. 7 (1987)

Last updated: 19 March 1998 






























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Vinyl Chloride (EHC 215, 1999)
       Vinyl Chloride (HSG 109, 1999)
       Vinyl chloride (ICSC)
       Vinyl chloride (WHO Food Additives Series 19)
       VINYL CHLORIDE (JECFA Evaluation)
       Vinyl chloride (PIM 558)
       Vinyl Chloride  (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Supplement7, 1987)