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

2,4-D and ESTERS

VOL.: 15 (1977) (p. 111)

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Animal data

2,4-D and several of its esters were tested in rats and mice by oral administration and in mice by subcutaneous administration. All of these studies had limitations, due either to inadequate reporting or to the small number of animals used. Therefore, although increased incidences of tumours were observed in one study in which rats received 2,4-D orally and in another in which mice received its isooctyl ester by subcutaneous injection, no evaluation of the carcinogenicity of this compound could be made.

5.2 Human data

The results of the single cohort study of a small number of workers exposed to various herbicides, including 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (amitrole ) (IARC, 1986 - Vol. 41), are not sufficient to evaluate the carcinogenicity of 2,4-D to man [Because 2,4-D may be used with 2,4,5-T, which is contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetradichlorodibenzo-para-dioxin, see also monograph on polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (IARC, 1997 - Vol. 69)].

Subsequent evaluations: Vol. 41 (1986) (Chlorophenoxy Herbicides, occupational exposures to); Suppl. 7 (1987) (Chlorophenoxy herbicides)


Last updated: 26 March 1998



























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