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International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

2- AND 3-METHYLFLUORANTHENES

VOL.: 32 (1983) (p.399)

CAS No.: 33543-31-6
Chem. Abstr. Name: Fluoranthene, 2-methyl-

CAS No.: 1706-01-0
Chem. Abstr. Name: Fluoranthene, 3-methyl-

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Experimental data

2-Methylfluoranthene was tested for carcinogenicity in one experiment in mice by skin application and produced benign and malignant skin tumours. It was also tested in the mouse-skin initiation-promotion assay in one experiment and was active as an initiator.

3-Methylfluoranthene was tested in only one experiment in the mouse-skin initiation-promotion assay, and benign skin tumours occurred.

No data on the teratogenicity of these compounds were available.

In the one available study, 2- and 3-methylfluoranthenes were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the presence of an exogenous metabolic system.

There is inadequate evidence that 2- and 3-methylfluoranthenes are active in short-term tests.

5.2 Human data

2- and 3-Methylfluoranthenes are present as minor components of the total content of polynuclear aromatic compounds in tobacco smoke; however, they are also expected to occur in other combustion products contaminating the environment.

5.3 Evaluation

There is limited evidence that 2-methylfluoranthene is carcinogenic to experimental animals.

The available data were inadequate to permit an evaluation of the carcinogenicity of 3-methylfluoranthene to experimental animals.

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 66: Group 3)

Synonyms for 2-Methylfluoranthene

Synonyms for 3-Methylfluoranthene

Last updated 02/27/98 






























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       Toxicological Abbreviations