International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
CHRYSENE
VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 247)
CAS No.: 218-01-9
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Chrysene was tested for carcinogenicity in several studies by
skin application to mice and produced skin tumours; in one study, an
enhancing effect was observed when chrysene was tested simultaneously
with n-dodecane. Chrysene was also tested in the mouse-skin
initiation-promotion assay and was active as an initiator. Local
tumours were observed following its subcutaneous injection in mice.
Perinatal administration of chrysene to mice by subcutaneous or
intraperitoneal injection increased the incidences of liver tumours.
No relevant data on the teratogenicity of this chemical were
available.
Chrysene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the presence
of an exogenous metabolic system. It did not induce mitotic
recombination in yeast, unscheduled DNA synthesis in primary rat
hepatocytes, or mutations in Chinese hamster V79 cells. However, in
one study each in mice and hamsters it induced sister chromatid
exchange and chromosomal aberrations, respectively. It was positive
in one of two reported studies of morphological transformation in
mammalian cells.
There is limited evidence that chrysene is active in short-term
tests.
5.2 Human data
Chrysene is present as a major component of the total content of
polynuclear aromatic compounds in the environment. Human exposure to
chrysene 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 limited evidence that chrysene 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. 60: Group 3)
Synonyms
- 1,2-Benzophenanthrene
- Benzo(a)phenanthrene
- 1,2-Benzphenanthrene
- Benz(a)phenanthrene
- 1,2,5,6-Dibenzonaphthalene
Last updated: 17 April 1998