International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
MIREX
VOL.: 20 (1979) (p. 283)
CAS No.: 2385-85-5
Chem. Abstr. Name: 1,1a,2,2,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-Dodecachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-1H-
cyclobuta(cd)pentalene
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Mirex has been tested in one experiment in two strains of mice and in
one experiment in rats by oral administration. It has also been
tested in two strains of mice by subcutaneous injection of single
doses. In the studies using oral administration, it produced benign
and malignant liver tumours in mice and rats of both sexes. An excess
of liver tumours was also found in males of one of the two strains of
mice following a single subcutaneous injection; this experiment also
suggested that it produced reticulum-cell sarcomas in males of both
strains.
Mirex is foetotoxic and produces teratogenic effects. It was negative
in a dominant lethal assay in mice.
5.2 Human data
No case reports or epidemiological studies were available to the
Working Group.
The extensive production and the widespread use of mirex since the
late 1950s, together with the persistent nature of the compound,
indicate that widespread human exposure has occurred. This is
confirmed by many reports of its occurrence in the general environment
and by its presence in human fat.
5.3 Evaluation
There is sufficient evidence that mirex is carcinogenic in mice and
rats. In the absence of adequate data in humans, it is reasonable,
for practical purposes, to regard mirex as if it presented a
carcinogenic risk to humans.
Previous evaluation: Vol. 5 (1974)
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 66: Group 2B)
For definition of terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Synonyms
- CG-1283
- Dechlorane
- Dechlorane 515
- Dechlorane 4070
- Dodecachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-methano-2H-cyclobuta(cd)-pentalene
- Dodecachloropentacyclo(3.3.2.O2,6.O3,9.05,10)decane
- ENT 25,719
- Ferriamicide
- Hexachlorocyclopentadiene dimer
- 1,2,3,4,5,5-Hexachloro-1,3-cyclopentadiene dimer
- HRS 1276
- Perchlorodihomocubane
- Perchloropentacyclodecane
- Perchloropentacyclo(5.2.1.O2,6.O3,9.O5,8)decane
Last updated: 31 March 1998