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

ANTHANTHRENE

VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 95)

CAS No.: 191-26-4
Chem. Abstr. Name: Dibenzo(def,mno)chrysene

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Experimental data

Anthanthrene was tested for carcinogenicity by skin application in mice in four studies. In one study, relatively high doses of anthanthrene in acetone produced skin tumours; in the other studies, no increased incidence of tumours was observed. It was also tested in the mouse-skin initiation-promotion assay in three studies. In two of the studies for initiating activity, anthanthrene gave negative results; in one, the results were inconclusive.

An experiment involving subcutaneous injection of anthanthrene to mice was inadequate. In a study using direct injection into the pulmonary tissue of rats, anthanthrene produced pulmonary squamous-cell carcinomas in a dose-related fashion.

No data on the teratogenicity of this compound were available.

Anthanthrene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the presence of an exogenous metabolic system.

There is inadequate evidence that anthanthrene is active in short-term tests.

5.2 Human data

Anthanthrene is present as a minor component of the total content of polynuclear aromatic compounds of the environment. Human exposure to anthanthrene occurs primarily through the smoking of tobacco, inhalation of polluted air and by ingestion of food and water contaminated with combustion products.

5.3 Evaluation

There is limited evidence that anthanthrene is carcinogenic to experimental animals.

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 57: Group 3)

Synonyms


Last updated: 17 April 1998




























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