International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
FLUORANTHENE
VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 355)
CAS No.: 206-44-0
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Fluoranthene was tested for carcinogenicity by skin application
in mice in two studies, and no tumorigenic effect was observed. It
was also tested in the mouse-skin initiation-promotion assay and was
inactive as an initiator. A study in mice by subcutaneous
administration was considered inadequate for evaluation. When
fluoranthene was administered to mice by skin application together
with benzo[a]pyrene, an excess of skin tumours was produced over that
induced by the same dose of benzo[a]pyrene alone.
No data were available on the teratogenicity of fluoranthene.
Fluoranthene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium and to
cultured human lymphoblastoid cells in the presence of an exogenous
metabolic system.
There is limited evidence that fluoranthene is active in
short-term tests.
5.2 Human data
Fluoranthene is present as a major component of the total content
of polynuclear aromatic compounds in the environment. Human exposure
to 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
The available data provide no evidence that fluoranthene per se
is carcinogenic to experimental animals.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 63: Group 3)
Synonyms
- 1,2-Benzacenaphthene
- Benzo(jk)fluorene
- Idryl
- 1,2-(1,8-Naphthalenediyl)benzene
- 1,2-(1,8-Naphthylene)benzene
Last updated: 17 April 1998