Evaluation of the potential carcinogenicity of lead and lead compounds: in support of reportable quantity adjustments pursuant to CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) section 102. Draft report

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5713639

Information on the potential carcinogenicity of lead and lead compounds is summarized and evaluated. The human studies provide suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity, but, because of confounding exposures to other carcinogens and the lack of measurements of lead exposure, are inadequate to prove or disprove carcinogenicity. Numerous long-term animal studies, using several different forms of lead and routes of exposure, provide sufficient evidence. This combination of evidence, together with information from short-term tests, other toxic effects, and pharmacokinetic properties, yields a classification of lead and lead compounds as probably human carcinogen, Group B2. No specific cancer potency has been estimated for lead. Many factors influence lead-induced cancer, creating difficulties in selecting an appropriate measure of dose. Cross-species pharmacokinetic models are needed before the animal studies can be used to estimate a human cancer potency. Because it has been relatively high concentrations of lead that have increased the incidence of cancer in animals, it seems appropriate to characterize the cancer potency of lead as low, placing lead in potency Group 3.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (USA). Office of Health and Environmental Assessment
• OSTI ID: 5713639
• Report Number(s): PB-89-181366/XAB; EPA-600/8-89/045A
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

552000 -- Public Health
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CARCINOGENESIS
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRY
LABORATORY ANIMALS
LAWS
LEAD
LEAD COMPOUNDS
MEDICINE
METALS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION LAWS
PROGRESS REPORT
PUBLIC HEALTH
RISK ASSESSMENT
SMELTERS
SUPERFUND
TOXICITY