The large bowel carcinogenic effects of hydrazines and related compounds occurring in nature and in the environment

Abstract

Five substituted hydrazines that induce large bowel and other types of cancer in laboratory animals are described. Two of these compounds, which originate in nature, are 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, a tobacco ingredient, and methylhydrazine, formed from a chemical present in the edible wild mushroom Gyromitra esculenta. The human population is therefore exposed to them considerably. In addition, both compounds are manufactured and used in rocket fuel. The other three chemicals, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride,1-methyl-2-butylhydrazine dihydrochloride and trimethylhydrazine hydrochloride, are manufactured synthetically only and apparently are not found in substantial quantities in the environment.