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

BENZO[j]FLUORANTHENE

VOL.: 32 (1983) (p. 155)

CAS No.: 205-82-3
Chem. Abstr. Name: Benzo(j)fluoranthene

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

5.1 Experimental data

Benzo[j]fluoranthene was tested for carcinogenicity in female mice by skin application and produced benign and malignant skin tumours. It was also tested in a mouse-skin initiation-promotion assay and was active as an initiator. In one study in rats involving direct injection of benzo[j]fluoranthene into the pulmonary tissue, it produced squamous-cell carcinomas in a dose-related manner.

No study on the teratogenicity of this compound was available.

In the one available study, benzo[j]fluoranthene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the presence of an exogenous metabolic system.

There is inadequate evidence that benzo[j]fluoranthene is active in short-term tests.

5.2 Human data

Benzo[j]fluoranthene is present as a component of the total content of polynuclear aromatic compounds of the environment. Human exposure to benzo[j]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

There is sufficient evidence that benzo[j]fluoranthene is carcinogenic to experimental animals.

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Previous evaluation: Vol. 3 (1973)

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 58: Group 2B)

Synonyms


Last updated: 17 April 1998




























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