International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
ortho-TOLUIDINE (HYDROCHLORIDE)
VOL.: 16 (1978) (p. 349)
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Animal data
The data available to the Working Group concerning ortho-toluidine was
from experiments that have been insufficiently described. Although
tumours have been reported at various sites after administration of
the compound by various routes, the inadequacy of reporting does not
allow an evaluation of the carcinogenicity of this compound to be
made.
5.2 Human data
The epidemiological studies available to the Working Group dealt with
workers who had mixed exposures. The results of one study in Germany
were equivocal. A second, in Switzerland, had negative results and was
inadequate in terms of persons-years exposure. A third, probably
representing a large proportion of all workers in the UK who were
exposed to ortho-toluidine during the production process, demonstrated
one observed case versus 0.52 expected. A fourth, in the USSR,
appeared to involve occupational exposure specifically to toluidines;
it was suggestive of a carcinogenic effect, but information was
incomplete.
These findings, taken together, did not allow the Working Group to
draw any firm conclusion about the carcinogenicity of ortho-toluidine
to humans.
Subsequent evaluations: Vol. 27 (1982); Suppl. 7 (1987);
Vol. 77 (2000)
Last updated: 26 March 1998