VOL.: 77 (2000) (p. 455)
CAS No.:
Chem. Abstr. Name: 2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Exposure data
2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol is a flame retardant used in polyester resins and polyurethane foams. No data on human exposure to this substance were available.
5.2 Human carcinogenicity data
No data were available to the Working Group.
5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data
2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol was tested for carcinogenicity as a commercial mixture (FR-1138®) containing 80% of the parent compound in one experiment in mice and in two experiments in rats by oral administration in the diet. In mice, it increased the incidence of tumours of the Harderian gland, forestomach and lung in both males and females and of subcutaneous sarcomas in females. In one study in male rats, it increased the incidences of tumours of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, mammary gland, Zymbal gland, oral cavity, oesophagus, forestomach, small and large intestine, peritoneum, lung and thyroid. In female rats the incidences of oesophageal, mammary gland and thyroid follicular tumours were increased.
5.4 Other relevant data
No data on the metabolism of 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol were available.
Histopathological changes were observed in the kidney and the urinary bladder of rats and mice administered 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol for 13 weeks.
No data on reproductive and developmental effects in humans were available.
No effects were observed, after 13 weeks’ exposure, on sperm parameters or vaginal cytology in mice or rats. However, in a mouse continuous breeding study, exposure to 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol in feed caused a female-specific decrease in reproductive capacity.
2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol was mutagenic in only one of several bacterial strains tested, and only with metabolic activation. In cultured mammalian cells, it was only weakly active in tests for chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges. Micronucleus formation, indicative of chromosomal damage, was induced in cells from mice exposed to 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol in vivo.
5.5 Evaluation
No epidemiological data relevant to the carcinogenicity of 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol were available.
There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol.
Overall evaluation
2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Synonyms
See Also:
Toxicological Abbreviations