Carcinogenic and Mutagenic Potential of Several Fluorocarbonsa

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Abstract
A series of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) have been evaluated for carcinogenic potential in two comprehensive toxicity studies. The first of these studies involved an assessment of their potential carcinogenicity using in vitro short-term predictive tests followed by a limited gavage validation assay in rats. The second study was a more conventional inhalation study of CFC22 employing rats and mice coupled with an assessment of in vivo genotoxicity of the material. The current paper briefly reviews these two studies and assesses the overall genotoxicity profile of CFC22 in terms of risk to man. It is concluded that CFCs are not biologically inert, but that the series contains bacterial mutagens, cell-transforming agents, and rodent carcinogens, and for this series of compounds at least, prokaryotic mutation does not accurately predict carcinogenic potential. In addition it is concluded that CFC22 does not represent a carcinogenic or mutagenic threat to man.