National Technical Reports Library

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Hazard Review of Bis(Chloromethyl)Ether (BCME).

PB87210779

Publication Date	1973
Personal Author	Lassiter, D. V.
Page Count	17
Abstract	The toxic hazards of bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME) are discussed. The findings of a variety of studies on BCME carcinogenicity in laboratory animals are summarized, including skin painting tests in Swiss-mice, injection tests in rats, subcutaneous injection tests in Swiss-mice, inhalation exposure tests in mice and Sprague-Dawley-rats. Occurrences of fibrosarcomas, fibromas, and lung adenomas in these animals are discussed. The results of a NIOSH survey of bronchial damage and lung cancer incidence among workers exposed to BCME at an anion exchange resin production factory are reviewed, including an increased incidence of abnormal sputum cytology and of lung cancer, particularly undifferentiated oat cell carcinoma. An increased incidence of lung cancer among workers exposed to chloromethyl-methyl-ether is discussed with respect to the probable concomitant exposure to BCME. Lung cancer deaths are also discussed among 8 of 68 workers from a facility where BCME exposures occurred. The formation of BCME from the reaction of hydrogen-chloride with formaldehyde is described.
Keywords	Environmental surveys Industrial medicine Chlorine organic compounds Carcinogens Exposure Respiratory diseases Toxic substances Occupational safety and health Ether/bis(chloromethyl) Ether/chloromethyl-methyl
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57Y - Toxicology 94D - Job Environment 68G - Environmental Health & Safety 41I - Job Environment
Corporate Authors	National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Rockville, MD.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	198721

Hazard Review of Bis(Chloromethyl)Ether (BCME).

Hazard Review of Bis(Chloromethyl)Ether (BCME).
PB87210779

Publication Date	1973
Personal Author	Lassiter, D. V.
Page Count	17
Abstract	The toxic hazards of bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME) are discussed. The findings of a variety of studies on BCME carcinogenicity in laboratory animals are summarized, including skin painting tests in Swiss-mice, injection tests in rats, subcutaneous injection tests in Swiss-mice, inhalation exposure tests in mice and Sprague-Dawley-rats. Occurrences of fibrosarcomas, fibromas, and lung adenomas in these animals are discussed. The results of a NIOSH survey of bronchial damage and lung cancer incidence among workers exposed to BCME at an anion exchange resin production factory are reviewed, including an increased incidence of abnormal sputum cytology and of lung cancer, particularly undifferentiated oat cell carcinoma. An increased incidence of lung cancer among workers exposed to chloromethyl-methyl-ether is discussed with respect to the probable concomitant exposure to BCME. Lung cancer deaths are also discussed among 8 of 68 workers from a facility where BCME exposures occurred. The formation of BCME from the reaction of hydrogen-chloride with formaldehyde is described.
Keywords	Environmental surveys Industrial medicine Chlorine organic compounds Carcinogens Exposure Respiratory diseases Toxic substances Occupational safety and health Ether/bis(chloromethyl) Ether/chloromethyl-methyl
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57Y - Toxicology 94D - Job Environment 68G - Environmental Health & Safety 41I - Job Environment
Corporate Authors	National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Rockville, MD.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	198721