International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
N-NITROSOMORPHOLINE
VOL.: 17 (1978) (p. 263)
CAS No.: 59-89-2
Chem. Abstr. Name: 4-Nitrosomorpholine
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
N-Nitrosomorpholine is carcinogenic in mice, rats, Syrian golden,
Chinese and European hamsters and various fish. Following its oral
administration, it produces benign and malignant tumours of the liver
and lung in mice, of the liver, kidney and blood vessels in rats and
of the liver in hamsters. After its subcutaneous injection it produces
tumours of the upper digestive and respiratory tracts in hamsters; it
is carcinogenic after its administration in single doses. It produces
liver tumours in rats following its intravenous injection. It produces
liver tumours in various fish following its administration in
tank-water. A study in hamsters has been reported in which a
dose-response relationship was established.
5.2 Human data
No case reports or epidemiological studies were available to the
Working Group. Insufficient information on the occurrence of
N-nitrosomorpholine was available to permit identification of exposed
groups.
5.3 Evaluation
There is sufficient evidence for a carcinogenic effect of
N-nitrosomorpholine in several experimental animal species. Although
no epidemiological data were available, N-nitrosomorpholine should be
regarded for practical purposes as if it were carcinogenic to
humans.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 68: Group 2B)
For definition of terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Synonym
Last updated: 27 March 1998