Carcinogenicity acrolein

There is limited evidence of acrolein carcinogenicity in animal studies, but glycidaldehyde, a potential metabolite of acrolein, is considered to be carcinogenic. 

Parent, R.A., H.E. Caravello, and J.E. Long. 1992. Two-year toxicity and carcinogenicity study of acrolein in rats. Jour. Appl. Toxicol. 12 131-139. 

The carcinogenic potential of acrolein has been examined in a number of studies. Hamsters exposed to 4.0 ppm, 7 hours/day, for 52 weeks showed no evidence of respiratory tract tumors or tumors in other tissues and organs. Rats exposed for 10-18 months to 8 ppm 1 hour/day also showed no evidence of a tumorigenic response." ... 

A 2-year study of rats treated by daily gavage with 0, 0.05, 0.5, or 2.5mg/kg for 102 weeks found no evidence of a neoplastic response. " Chronic gavage studies in mice for 18 months and capsular administration to dogs for 1 year also revealed no indication of a carcinogenic response. The lARC has determined that there is inadequate evidence in both animals and humans for the carcinogenicity of acrolein. Acrolein has been found to be muta-... 

Marsden, P.J. Casida, J.E. (1982) 2-Haloacrylic acids as indicators of mutagenic 2-halo-acrolein intermediates in mammalian metabolism of selected promutagens and carcinogens. 

I ARC (1979) lARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, Vol. 19, Some Monomers, Plastics and Synthetic Elastomers, and Acrolein, Lyon, pp. 285-301... 

No studies were located regarding carcinogenic effects in humans after inhalation exposure to acrolein. 

Salaman and Roe (1956) applied acrolein (in sesame oil) to the backs of mice once a day for 10 weeks. The total dose applied was 12.6 mg (5% solution). The authors reported no tumors at the site of application or at remote sites. These results should be interpreted with caution, since the duration of the study was too short to evaluate carcinogenic potential, and only 15 mice were used. 

Acrolein applied to the skin of animals results in skin irritation and death if applied in high concentration. Acrolein was not carcinogenic when applied to the skin of mice for 10 weeks. 

Risk estimate for carcinogenicity for acrolein. Online. (Verification date 12/02/87). Office of Health and environmental Assessment, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH. 

IARC. 1979. IARC monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans. Vol. 19 Some monomers, plastics and synthetic elastomers, and acrolein. World Health Organization, Lyon, France. 

Steiner PE, Steele R, Koch FC. 1943. The possible carcinogenicity of overcooked meats, heated cholesterol, acrolein, and heated sesame oil. Cancer Res 3 100-107. 

---