VOL.: 71 (1999) (p. 433)
CAS No.:
Chem. Abstr. Name: 1,2-Benzenediol
5.1 Exposure data
Exposure to catechol may occur in its production, in the production of insecticides, perfumes and drugs, in metal plating and in coal processing. Catechol occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. It is present in cigarette smoke and has been detected at low levels in ambient air and water.
5.2 Human carcinogenicity data
No data were available to the Working Group.
5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data
Catechol was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration in one study in mice and in two studies in rats. No increase in the incidence of malignant tumours was found in mice. In rats, it induced adenocarcinomas in the glandular stomach in several strains. In one study in mice by skin application, no skin tumour was observed. In several experiments in rats involving administration with known carcinogens, catechol enhanced the incidence of papillomas of the tongue, carcinomas of the oesophagus, squamous-cell carcinomas of the forestomach and adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach.
5.4 Other relevant data
Catechol is oxidized by peroxidases to the reactive intermediate benzo-1,2-quinone, which binds to protein. The acute toxicity of catechol is relatively low. In humans, the irritant action of catechol can lead to dermatitis and other dermal lesions. Chronic oral treatment of rodents causes hyperplasia of the forestomach and pyloric mucosa.
Catechol was shown to cause gene mutations in mammalian cells in vitro. Chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges were reported in mammalian cells in culture. After application to mice, catechol was negative in one and positive in three studies of micronucleus formation in bone marrow.
5.5 Evaluation
No epidemiological data relevant to the carcinogenicity of catechol were available.
There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of catechol.
Overall evaluation
Catechol is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Previous evaluations: Vol. 15 (1977); Suppl. 7 (1987)
Synonyms
See Also:
Toxicological Abbreviations
Catechol (ICSC)