VOL.: 77 (2000) (p. 439)
CAS No.:
Chem. Abstr. Name: 2,3-Dibromo-1-propanol
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Exposure data
2,3-Dibromopropan-1-ol was used as an intermediate to produce the flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate. In the past, it was detected in the urine of children wearing nightwear treated with tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate. It is still produced for use in the manufacture of other chemicals (possibly flame retardants, insecticides and pharmaceuticals).
5.2 Human carcinogenicity data
No data were available to the Working Group.
5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data
2,3-Dibromopropan-1-ol was tested by skin application in one experiment in mice and in one experiment in rats. In mice, it produced tumours of the skin at the site of application and forestomach in both males and females and tumours of the liver in males. In rats, it produced tumours of the skin at the site of application and of the digestive tract including the mouth, oesophagus, forestomach and intestines, nasal mucosa and Zymbal gland in both males and females, and tumours of the liver, mammary gland and clitoral gland in females.
5.4 Other relevant data
Two mercapturic acid metabolites of 2,3-dibromopropan-1-ol have been identified in the urine of treated rats.
Application of 2,3-dibromopropan-1-ol to the skin of rats and mice for 13 weeks caused kidney lesions in male rats, liver lesions in female rats and liver and lung lesions in both male and female mice.
2,3-Dibromopropan-1-ol was mutagenic in bacterial assays both in the presence and absence of exogenous metabolic systems. It gave positive results in a mammalian cell mutagenesis assay and induced sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells. It was mutagenic in Drosophila melanogaster. It was inactive in an in-vivo bone-marrow micronucleus assay in male mice.
5.5 Evaluation
No epidemiological data relevant to the carcinogenicity of 2,3-dibromopropan-1-ol were available.
There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of 2,3-dibromopropan-1-ol.
Overall evaluation
2,3-Dibromopropan-1-ol is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Synonyms
See Also:
Toxicological Abbreviations