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

DIMETHYL HYDROGEN PHOSPHITE
(Group 3)

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 48 (1990) (p. 85)

CAS No.: 868-85-9
Chem. Abstr. Name: Dimethyl phosphonate

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Exposure data

Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite is used as a flame retardant on Nylon 6 fibres, as a chemical intermediate in the production of pesticides and in lubricant additives and adhesives. No data on occupational exposure levels were available. A potential source of exposure to this chemical is from its occurrence as a degradation product of the chemical intermediate trimethyl phosphite and of pesticides such as trichlorphon and malathion.

5.2 Experimental carcinogenicity data

Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration in one strain of mice and in one strain of rats. In rats, it caused an increase in the incidence of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas in animals of each sex and of squamous-cell carcinomas of the lung and of papillomas and carcinomas of the forestomach in males.

5.3 Human carcinogenicity data

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.4 Other relevant data

In single studies, dimethyl hydrogen phosphite induced sister chromatid exchange and chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster cells in culture and mutations in mouse cells in culture but did not induce sex-linked recessive lethal mutation in Drosophila. It was not mutagenic to bacteria in the presence or absence of an exogenous metabolic system.

5.5 Evaluation

There is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of dimethyl hydrogen phosphite in experimental animals.

No data were available from studies in humans on the carcinogenicity of dimethyl hydrogen phosphite.

Overall evaluation

Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Subsequent evaluation: Vol. 71 (1999)

Synonyms


Last updated: 13 April 1999





























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Dimethyl hydrogen phosphite (ICSC)
       Dimethyl Hydrogen Phosphite  (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 71, 1999)