International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
BENZO[ghi]PERYLENE
VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 195)
CAS No.: 191-24-2
Chem. Abstr. Name: Benzo(ghi)perylene
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Benzo[ghi]perylene was tested for carcinogenicity in two studies
by skin application to female mice, and no carcinogenic effect was
observed. It was tested in three studies in the mouse-skin
initiation-promotion assay, also with negative results. In two
studies in mice by subcutaneous injection, no tumour was observed at
the injection site. The results of a test using intrapulmonary
injection in rats were inadequate for evaluation, although some
pulmonary tumours occurred. When benzo[ghi]perylene was administered
simultaneously with benzo[a]pyrene to the skin of mice, an increased
number of skin tumours was observed over that with benzo[a]pyrene
alone.
No data on teratogenicity of this compound were available.
Benzo[ghi]perylene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the
presence of an exogenous metabolic system. It was negative in one
study of morphological transformation in mammalian cells.
There is inadequate evidence that benzo[ghi]perylene is active in
short-term tests.
5.2 Human data
Benzo[ghi]perylene is present as a major component of the total
content of polynuclear aromatic compounds in the environment. Human
exposure to benzo[ghi]perylene occurs primarily through the smoking of
tobacco, inhalation of polluted air and by ingestion of food and water
contaminated by combustion effluents.
5.3 Evaluation
The available data were inadequate to permit an evaluation of the
carcinogenicity of benzo[ghi]perylene to experimental animals.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 58: Group 3)
Synonyms
- 1,12-Benzoperylene
- 1,12-Benzperylene
Last updated: 17 April 1998