Carcinogenic hydrocarbons and related compounds in processed rubber.

Abstract

1. A benzene extract of rubber stoppers was carcinogenic by skin painting in mice. 2. From such extracts of rubber stoppers and of an automobile tire, eight aromatic hydrocarbons were isolated. 3,4-Benzpyrene, pyrene, chrysene, and alkyl cyclopentenophenanthrene were identified beyond reasonable doubt by their ultraviolet absorption spectra, and, additionally, in the case of pyrene and chrysene by melting point determinations. The identity of another crystalline product, 1,12-benzperylene, seems fairly certain. The oily nature of three products, 1,2-benzpyrene, alkyl pyrene, and alkyl 1,2-benzanthracene made definite identification as yet impossible. 3,4-Benzpyrene, 1,2-benzpyrene, pyrene, and chrysene have been described as carcinogenic in the literature. The other four compounds are structurally related to carcinogenic compounds. 3. The possible importance of these observations to workers in the industries concerned, to the general public, and to cancer research has been discussed.