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

FLUORANTHENE

VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 355)

CAS No.: 206-44-0

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Experimental data

Fluoranthene was tested for carcinogenicity by skin application in mice in two studies, and no tumorigenic effect was observed. It was also tested in the mouse-skin initiation-promotion assay and was inactive as an initiator. A study in mice by subcutaneous administration was considered inadequate for evaluation. When fluoranthene was administered to mice by skin application together with benzo[a]pyrene, an excess of skin tumours was produced over that induced by the same dose of benzo[a]pyrene alone.

No data were available on the teratogenicity of fluoranthene.

Fluoranthene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium and to cultured human lymphoblastoid cells in the presence of an exogenous metabolic system.

There is limited evidence that fluoranthene is active in short-term tests.

5.2 Human data

Fluoranthene is present as a major component of the total content of polynuclear aromatic compounds in the environment. Human exposure to fluoranthene occurs primarily through the smoking of tobacco, inhalation of polluted air and by ingestion of food and water contaminated by combustion effluents.

5.3 Evaluation

The available data provide no evidence that fluoranthene per se is carcinogenic to experimental animals.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 63: Group 3)

Synonyms


Last updated: 17 April 1998




























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