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

PENTACHLOROETHANE

VOL.: 41 (1986) (p. 99)

CAS No.: 76-01-7

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Exposure data

Pentachloroethane was produced commercially as a chemical intermediate, and occupational exposure may have occurred. Trace levels have been reported in ambient air and water.

5.2 Experimental data

Technical-grade pentachloroethane (containing 4.2% hexachloroethane) was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration by gavage in one experiment in mice and one experiment in rats. Hepatocellular carcinomas were induced in mice of each sex and hepatocellular adenomas in female mice; a marginally increased incidence of kidney tubular-cell adenomas was observed in male rats but not in female rats.

No data were available to the Working Group on the carcinogenicity of pure pentachloroethane to experimental animals.

No data were available to evaluate the reproductive effects or prenatal toxicity of pentachloroethane to experimental animals.

Pentachloroethane is not mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium.

5.3 Human data

No data were available to evaluate the reproductive effects or prenatal toxicity of pentachloroethane to humans.

No case report or epidemiological study of the carcinogenicity of pentachloroethane to humans was available to the Working Group.

5.4 Evaluation

There is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of technical-grade pentachloroethane (containing hexachloroethane) to experimental animals.

No evaluation could be made of the carcinogenicity of pentachloroethane to humans.

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Subsequent evaluation: Vol. 71 (1999)

Synonyms


Last updated: 13 April 1999




























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Pentachloroethane (ICSC)
       Pentachloroethane  (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 71, 1999)