Results of Long‐Term Carcinogenicity Bioassay on Vinyl Acetate Monomer in Sprague‐Dawley Rats

Abstract
Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) was administered in drinking water supplied ad libitum at doses of 5,000, 1,000, and 0 ppm (v/v) to 17‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats (breeders) and to 12‐day embryos (offspring). Treatment lasted for 104 weeks; thereafter, animals were kept under control conditions until spontaneous death. VAM was found to cause an increase in total malignant tumors and in carcinomas and/or precursor lesions of the oral cavity, lips, tongue, esophagus, and forestomach. Based on these data, VAM must be considered a multipotent carcinogen.