International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
ETHYLENE AND POLYETHYLENE
VOL.: 19 (1979) (p. 157)
Ethylene
CAS No.: 74-85-1
Chem. Abstr. Name: Ethene
Low-density and high-density polyethylenes
CAS No.: 9002-88-4
Chem. Abstr. Name: Ethene homopolymer
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
No data on the carcinogenicity or mutagenicity of ethylene were
available to the Working Group.
Polyethylene was tested by subcutaneous implantation in rats and mice,
by intraperitoneal implantation in rats, using discs, films, rods,
fragments and powder, and by intrauterine insertion in rats of
polyethylene devices. Subcutaneous implantation of all forms except
the powder resulted in local sarcomas, the incidences of which varied
with the size and form of the implants. The results obtained following
intrauterine implantation of polyethylene devices could not be used to
evaluate the carcinogenicity of polyethylene.
5.2 Human data
The massive production of ethylene and polyethylene and the general
use of the polymer over the past several decades indicate that
exposure of workers and the general population is common. In addition,
medical use (e.g., for intrauterine contraceptive devices) has been
extensive. No epidemiological studies relating to the carcinogenicity
of these compounds were available to the Working Group.
5.3 Evaluation
No information was available to the Working Group for evaluating the
possible carcinogenic effects of ethylene in humans; and the available
data on polyethylene do not permit an evaluation of its potential
carcinogenicity. Experimental carcinogenicity studies on the monomer
are recommended.
The results of animal implantation experiments using polyethylene and
the limitations of the data from humans indicate the need for further
epidemiological studies of persons receiving implants or insertions of
devices made from the polymer.
Subsequent evaluations: Suppl. 7 (1987) (Ethylene, p. 63: Group 3) (Polyethylene, p. 70: Group 3);
Vol. 60 (1994) (Ethylene)
For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.
Synonyms for Ethylene
- Acetene
- Bicarburetted hydrogen
- Olefiant gas
Synonyms for Polyethylene
- AC 8
- AC 8 (polymer)
- AC 394
- AC GA: ACP 6
- A 60-20R
- Acroart
- Agilene
- Alathon 14
- Alcowax 6
- Aldyl A
- Alithon 7050
- Alkathene
- Allied PE 617
- Alphex FIT 221
- Ambythene
- Amoco 610A4
- Bakelite DFD 3300
- Bareco Polywax 2000
- Bicolene C
- BPE-I
- Bralen KB 2-11
- Bulen A
- Bulen A 30
- Carlona 58-030
- Chemplex 3006
- CIPE
- Coathylene HA 1671
- Courlene-X3
- CPE
- Cryopolythene
- Cry-O-Vac L
- Daisolac
- Daplen
- Daplen 1810 H
- DFD 0173
- DFDJ 5505
- DGNB 3825
- Diothene
- Dixopak
- DMDJ 4309
- DQDA 1868
- DQWA 0355
- DXM 100
- Dylan
- Dylan super
- Dylan WPD 205
- DYNH
- DYNK 2
- Eltex
- Epolene C
- Ethene polymer
- Etherin
- Etherol 23F203
- Ethylene homopolymer
- Ethylene polymer
- Fabritone PE
- FB 217
- Fertene
- Flamolin MF 15711
- Flothene
- FM 510
- Fortiflex 6015
- FP 42100 GP
- Grex
- Grisolen
- HFDB 4201
- Hi-fax
- Hizex
- Hi-Zex 7000F
- Hoechst PA 190
- Hoechst Wax PA 520
- Hostalen
- Hostalen GUR
- Irax
- Irrathene R
- Lacqten 1020
- LD 400
- LDPE 4
- Lupolen
- Lupolen 4261A
- Manolene 6050
- Marlex 9
- Microthene
- Microthene 510
- Mirason 9
- Mirathen
- Mirathen 1313
- Moplen RO-QG 6015
- Neopolen
- Neozex 45150
- Neozex 4010B
- Nopol (polymer)
- Novatec JUO 80
- NVC 9025
- Okiten G23
- Orizon
- 6020P
- PA 130
- PAD 522
- P 2010B
- PE 512
- PE 617
- PEN 100
- PEP 211
- PES 100
- PES 200
- Petrothene
- P 4007EU
- P 4070L
- Planium
- Plaskon PP 60-002
- Plastazote X 1016
- Plastronga
- Plastylene MA 2003
- Politen
- Politen I 020
- Poly-Em 12
- Polyethylene AS
- Polymist A12
- Polymul CS 81
- Polysion N 22
- Polywax 1000
- Polythene
- Porolen
- P 2070P
- PPE 2
- Procene UF 1.5
- Profax A 60-008
- P 2020T
- PTs 2
- PVP 8T
- Py 100
- RCH 1000
- Repoc
- Rigidex
- Ropol
- Ropothene OB.03-110
- Sanwax 161P
- Sclair 59
- SDP 640
- Sholex 5003
- Socarex
- SRM 1475
- SRM 1476
- Staflen E 650
- Stamylan 900
- Stamylan 1000
- Sumikathene
- Sunwax 151
- Super dylan
- Suprathen
- Takathene
- Telcotene
- Telecothene
- Tenaplas
- Tenite 800
- Trovidur PE
- Tyrin
- Tyvek
- Unifos Dyob S
- Unifos EFD 0118
- Valeron
- Valspex 155-53
- Velustral KPA
- Vestolen
- Wax LE
- WJG 11
- WNF 15
- WVG 23
- XL 335-1
- XL 1246
- XNM 68
- XO 440
- Yukalon EH 30
- ZF 36
Last updated: 30 March 1998