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

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 52 (1991) (p. 299)

CAS No.: 74-96-4

5.1 Exposure data

Bromoethane has limited commercial use, including that as an ethylating agent. It has been detected in ocean air as a result of emissions by marine algae.

5.2 Experimental carcinogenicity data

Bromoethane was tested for carcinogenicity in a two-year study in male and female Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F₁ mice by inhalation. In male rats, there was a significant increase in the incidence of adrenal phaeochromocytomas, which was not dose-related. A marginal increase in the incidence of uncommon brain tumours occurred in treated females. In mice, bromoethane induced neoplasms of the uterine endometrium; a marginal increase in the incidence of lung tumours was observed in males. In a screening study by intraperitoneal injection, bromoethane did not increase the incidence of lung tumours in strain A mice.

5.3 Human carcinogenicity data

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.4 Other relevant data

Bromoethane was mutagenic in bacteria but not in insects in a single study. In other single studies, bromoethane caused sister chromatid exchange but not chromosomal aberrations in mammalian cells.

5.5 Evaluation

There is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of bromoethane in experimental animals.

No data were available from studies in humans on the carcinogenicity of bromoethane.

Overall evaluation

Bromoethane 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

• Bromic ether
• Ethyl bromide
• Hydrobromic ether
• Monobromoethane

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Bromoethane (ICSC)
       Bromoethane (CICADS 42, 2002)
       Bromoethane  (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 71, 1999)