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

VINYL ACETATE, POLYVINYL ACETATE
AND POLYVINYL ALCOHOL

VOL.: 19 (1979) (p. 341)

Vinyl acetate
CAS No.: 108-05-4
Chem. Abstr. Name: Acetic acid ethenyl ester

Polyvinyl acetate
CAS No.: 9003-20-7
Chem. Abstr. Name: Acetic acid ethenyl ester homopolymer

Polyvinyl alcohol
CAS No.: 9002-89-5
Chem. Abstr. Name: Ethenol homopolymer

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Experimental data

In the only study available, vinyl acetate was tested in rats by inhalation exposure; it produced no evidence of carcinogenicity.

Vinyl acetate was non-mutagenic in the only test system used.

Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal implantation of polyvinyl acetate powder in mice and rats did not result in local sarcomas. Subcutaneous implantation of polyvinyl alcohol sponges in rats produced local sarcomas, whereas negative results were obtained with polyvinyl alcohol powder.

5.2 Human data

No case reports or epidemiological studies relating to the carcinogenicity of either vinyl acetate or polyvinyl acetate were available to the Working Group. One case of haemangiopericytoma was reported in a man exposed to polyvinyl alcohol.

The high levels of production of vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol indicate that occupationally exposed groups could be identified for epidemiological investigation. The widespread use of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol in diverse applications indicates that the general population is also exposed.

5.3 Evaluation

No case reports or epidemiological studies concerning vinyl acetate were available to the Working Group. Animal studies involving implantation of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol powder in rats did not result in local sarcomas, whereas in similar experiments with polyvinyl alcohol sponges, local sarcomas were produced. Both polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol have substantial commercial applications. Further studies are required before an evaluation can be made of the carcinogenicity of these compounds.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (Polyvinyl acetate, p. 70: Group 3) (Polyvinyl alcohol, p. 70: Group 3); Vol. 63 (1995) (Vinyl acetate)

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

Synonyms for Vinyl acetate

Synonyms for Polyvinyl acetate

Synonyms for Polyvinyl Alcohol


Last updated: 30 March 1998



























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations