toluene - National Park Service

for the purpose of strongly stating that this compound is
definitely not a carcinogen; the non-carcinogenic
benchmarks are sometimes nearly as low as the
carcinogenic benchmarks (Stan Smucker, personal
communication, EPA, 1996).
In the only identified carcinogenesis bioassay by the
oral route, the authors concluded that toluene caused an
increase in total malignant tumors in rats some of which
are relatively rare. Owing to limitations of the study,
however, these results are considered to be equivocal
[866].
There has been no evidence of carcinogenicity of several
of the metabolites of toluene, such as benzyl alcohol,
benzaldehyde, benzoic acid and hippuric acid, in studies
conducted to date (1990) [866].
IARC CANCER REVIEW [607]:
ANIMAL - INADEQUATE EVIDENCE. REFERENCE: IARC
Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk
of Chemicals to Man 47:79, 1989 [607].
IARC CANCER REVIEW: HUMAN - INADEQUATE EVIDENCE.
REFERENCE: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of
Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man 47:79, 1989
[607].
IARC CANCER REVIEW: GROUP 3. REFERENCE: IARC
Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk
of Chemicals to Man 47:79, 1989 [607].
Br.Dev: Brief Summary of Developmental, Reproductive,
Endocrine, and Genotoxicity Information:
The magnitude of its teratogenic risk is minimal to small
[370]. Toluene has been studied for reproductive effects
in laboratory animals and has generally not been
teratogenic but has been fetotoxic at high doses which
were toxic to the mothers [606].
The weight of evidence indicates that toluene is not
mutagenic in mammalian or microbial systems and results
concerning its potential to act as a promoter are
inconclusive [866]. The results of chromosomal assays
have been mixed [606].
There has been no evidence of mutagenicity of several of
the metabolites of toluene, such as benzyl alcohol,
benzaldehyde, benzoic acid and hippuric acid, in studies
conducted to date (1990) [866].