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

1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE
(Group 3)

For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.

VOL.: 71 (1999) (p. 817)

CAS No.: 79-34-5
Chem. Abstr. Name: 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Exposure data

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane is used as a solvent. It has been detected at low levels in urban and ambient air and in drinking-, ground- and wastewater.

5.2 Human carcinogenicity data

The available epidemiological data are inadequate for evaluation.

5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane was tested in one experiment in mice and in one in rats by oral administration. In mice, it produced hepatocellular carcinomas in males and females. It was inadequately tested by intraperitoneal administration in mice. In one small experiment in rats, no initiating but promoting activity of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane was found.

5.4 Other relevant data

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane bound covalently to DNA but did not induce unscheduled DNA synthesis in mice in vivo. It induced sister chromatid exchanges and cell transformation, but not chromosomal aberrations or unscheduled DNA synthesis, in rodent cells in vitro. It induced gene conversion and mutation in yeast and aneuploidy, but not genetic crossing-over, in fungus. 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane induced DNA damage and showed some evidence of being mutagenic in bacteria.

5.5 Evaluation

There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.

There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.

Overall evaluation

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Previous evaluations: Vol. 20 (1979); Suppl. 7 (1987)

Synonym


Last updated: 13 April 1999



























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2,2- (CICADS 3, 1998)