Ninety industrial chemicals, illustrative of 16 major classes and 19 structural sub-categories have been reviewed primarily in terms of their reported carcinogenicity and/or mutagenicity. The compounds were selected based on factors including: their reported carcinogenicity and/or mutagenicity, their chemical structures and relationships to known carcinogens or mutagens, their volume or use characteristics, and suggested or estimated potential populations at risk. Additionally, germane aspects (where known) of their synthesis (primarily in terms of the nature of the possible hazardous trace impurities), use patterns, chemical and biological reactivity and stability, environmental occurrence and metabolic fate have been included for cohesiveness of treatment. It is important to note that in 52 of the above cases, both carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of individual compounds were reported. Thirty-one compounds have been reported to be mutagenic and noncarcinogenic and seven compounds are carcinogenic and nonmutagenic. In a number of cases, there are no reports of a compound having been tested for carcinogenicity or mutagenicity or they are currently on test. In some cases, conflicting carcinogenicity and/or mutagenicity results for the same compound were reported. The largest number of industrial agents that have been reported to be carcinogenic and/or mutagenic are alkylating and acylating agents classified under 12 structural headings.

Prepared by National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Ark., under contract no. EPA-IAG-D4-0472. Issued May 5, 1977. Includes bibliographical references.