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

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 57 (1993) (p. 159)
CAS No.: 59820-43-8
Chem. Abstr. Name: 2-[(2-[2-Hydroxyethoxy]-4-nitrophenyl)amino]ethanol

5.1 Exposure data

HC Yellow No. 4 is used as a semipermanent hair dye.

5.2 Human carcinogenicity data

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data

HC Yellow No. 4 was tested for carcinogenicity by administration in the diet in one study in mice and in one study in rats. No significant increase in tumour incidence was found in mice. The incidence of adenomas of the pituitary gland was increased in male rats but not in females.

5.4 Other relevant data

HC Yellow No. 4 induced gene mutation in bacteria and in insects. Chromosomal aberrations were not induced in insects, and equivocal results for this end-point were obtained in cultured mammalian cells. Sister chromatid exchange was induced in mammalian cells.

5.5 Evaluation

There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of HC Yellow No. 4.

There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of HC Yellow No. 4.

Overall evaluation

HC Yellow No. 4 is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Synonyms

• N,O-Di(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-amino-5-nitrophenol
• HC Yellow 4
• 2-[3-Nitro-6-(beta-hydroxyethylamino)phenoxy] ethanol

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations