International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
BENZO[j]FLUORANTHENE
VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 155)
CAS No.: 205-82-3
Chem. Abstr. Name: Benzo(j)fluoranthene
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Benzo[j]fluoranthene was tested for carcinogenicity in female
mice by skin application and produced benign and malignant skin
tumours. It was also tested in a mouse-skin initiation-promotion
assay and was active as an initiator. In one study in rats involving
direct injection of benzo[j]fluoranthene into the pulmonary tissue, it
produced squamous-cell carcinomas in a dose-related manner.
No study on the teratogenicity of this compound was available.
In the one available study, benzo[j]fluoranthene was mutagenic to
Salmonella typhimurium in the presence of an exogenous metabolic
system.
There is inadequate evidence that benzo[j]fluoranthene is active
in short-term tests.
5.2 Human data
Benzo[j]fluoranthene is present as a component of the total
content of polynuclear aromatic compounds of the environment. Human
exposure to benzo[j]fluoranthene 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
There is sufficient evidence that benzo[j]fluoranthene is
carcinogenic to experimental animals.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Previous evaluation: Vol. 3 (1973)
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 58: Group 2B)
Synonyms
- 7,8-Benzofluoranthene
- 10,11-Benzofluoranthene
- Benzo(l)fluoranthene
- Benzo-12,13-fluoranthene
- B(j)F
- Dibenzo(a,jk)fluorene
Last updated: 17 April 1998