US EPA

29390 

Journal Article 

Carcinogenesis bioassay of chlorinated dibenzodioxins and related chemicals 

King, ME; Shefner, AM; Bates, RR 

1973 

Yes 

Environmental Health Perspectives
ISSN: 0091-6765
EISSN: 1552-9924 

5 

163-170 

English 

4752902 

10.1289/ehp.7305163 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474975
Exit
 

The fact that the chlorinated dioxins are highly toxic, teratogenic, and acnegenic does not of necessity indicate they are carcinogens as well. However, in view of the widespread use of products that might contain dioxins as contaminants and their extreme stability under environmental conditions, examination of their possible long term effects is imperative. This program was initiated to determine the chronic toxicity and potential carcinogenicity of a series of chlorinated dibenzodioxins by oral administration and skin application. The unsubstituted, 2,7 dichloro- and octachlorodibenzodioxins are relatively innocuous with regard to toxicity. The 2,3,7 trichloro-, 2,3,7,8 tetrachloro- and hexachlorodibenzodioxins, however, are quite toxic and require the use of specialized facilities to minimize the possibility of human exposure. This report describes the authors' results to date with the nontoxic dioxins. Work is being initiated with the toxic dioxins as they become available. These preliminary results are by no means conclusive with regard to the carcinogenicity of the chlorinated dioxins. The oral studies indicate primarily hepatotoxicity, expecially in the case of octachlorodibenzodioxin. The skin carcinogenesis assay for the nontoxic compounds is nearing completion, and no skin tumors have been observed in the complete carcinogenesis studies. The nature of the internal growths must still be determined at necropsy. 

Acetone/toxicity; Administration, Oral; Animals; Benzanthracenes/administration & dosage; Body Weight/drug effects; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/chemically induced; Chlorobenzenes/administration & dosage/toxicity; Croton Oil/toxicity; Dioxins/administration & dosage/*toxicity; Female; Fibrosarcoma/chemically induced; Hepatitis, Toxic/etiology; Liver/drug effects; Lung Neoplasms/chemically induced; Lymphoma/chemically induced; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Nasal Septum; Neoplasms/*chemically induced; Nose Neoplasms/chemically induced; Papilloma/chemically induced; Plasmacytoma/chemically induced; Precancerous Conditions/chemically induced; Rats; Skin Neoplasms/chemically induced