International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
BENZO[k]FLUORANTHENE
VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 163)
CAS No.: 207-08-9
Chem. Abstr. Name: Benzo(k)fluoranthene
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Benzo[k]fluoranthene was tested for carcinogenicity in females of
two strains of mice by skin application and produced a few skin
tumours. It was also tested in a mouse-skin initiation-promotion
assay and was active as an initiator. In one experiment involving
subcutaneous injection of benzo[k]fluoranthene to mice, it produced
sarcomas at the site of injection. Benzo[k]fluoranthene produced
squamous-cell carcinomas of the lung in rats in a dose-related manner
following its direct injection into pulmonary tissue.
No data on the teratogenicity of this compound were available.
Benzo[k]fluoranthene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in
the presence of an exogenous metabolic system.
There is inadequate evidence that benzo[k]fluoranthene is active
in short-term tests.
5.2 Human data
Benzo[k]fluoranthene is present as a component of the total
content of polynuclear aromatic compounds in the environment. Human
exposure to benzo[k]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[k]fluoranthene is
carcinogenic to experimental animals.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 58: Group 2B)
Synonyms
- 8,9-Benzfluoranthene
- 8,9-Benzofluoranthene
- 11,12-Benzofluoranthene
- 2,3,1',8'-Binaphthylene
- Dibenzo(b,jk)fluorene
Last updated: 17 April 1998