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

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 46 (1989) (p. 231)

CAS No.: 42397-65-9
Chem. Abstr. Name: Pyrene, 1,8-dinitro-

5.1 Exposure data

1,8-Dinitropyrene has been detected in some carbon blacks and in particulate emissions from diesel engines, kerosene heaters and gas burners. It has also been found at low concentrations in ambient air.

5.2 Experimental data

1,8-Dinitropyrene was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration in rats, by subcutaneous injection in mice and in young and newborn rats and by intraperitoneal injection in newborn mice and rats. After oral administration, it increased the incidence of mammary tumours. After subcutaneous injection, it produced sarcomas at the site of injection in mice and rats and an increased incidence of leukaemia in newborn rats. After intraperitoneal injection, it induced injection-site sarcomas and leukaemia in rats and liver tumours in male mice.

5.3 Human data

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.4 Other relevant data

Metabolism of 1,8-dinitropyrene led to DNA adduct formation in vivo and in vitro. It induced chromosomal aberrations but not DNA damage, mutation or micronuclei in cultured human cells. It induced DNA damage, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, mutation and morphological transformation in cultured rodent cells and DNA damage and mutation in bacteria.

5.5 Evaluation

There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity in experimental animals of 1,8-dinitropyrene.

No data were available from studies in humans on the carcinogenicity of 1,8-dinitropyrene.

Overall evaluation

1,8-Dinitropyrene is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Previous evaluations: Vol. 33 (1984) (p. 171); Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 63)

Last updated 01/21/98

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       Toxicological Abbreviations