On May 15, 2000, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) removed the industrial chemical ethyl acrylate from its Report on Carcinogens. Ethyl acrylate has been listed as "reasonably anticipated" to be a human carcinogen since 1989.

Ethyl acrylate had been originally listed in the Report on Carcinogens based primarily on forestomach tumors induced in rats and mice after chronic gavage dosing. Three NTP scientific advisory committees determined that new studies demonstrated that the forestomach tumors were produced by a mechanism that does not operate in humans. This finding, combined with the results of studies showing that ethyl acrylate does not induce cancer by more conventional routes of exposure, provided "compelling" evidence under the NTP's criteria that ethyl acrylate does not cause or contribute to cancer in humans.

The NTP, after an elaborate review process, summarized its scientific view:

"Ethyl acrylate will be removed from the Report on Carcinogens because the relevant data are not sufficient to meet the current criteria to list this chemical as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. This is based on the fact that the forestomach tumors induced in animal studies were seen only when the chemical was administered by gavage at high concentrations of ethyl acrylate, that induced marked local irritation and cellular proliferation, and because significant chronic human exposure to high concentrations of ethyl acrylate monomer is unlikely."

This conclusion is consistent with the recent conclusion of the U.S. President's Commission on Risk Assessment and Risk Management that the forestomach tumors induced by ethyl acrylate gavage dosing is "irrelevant to humans."

For more information, contact Betty Hunt, BAMM's Executive Director, by telephone (540-751-2093) or e-mail (e.hunt@comcast.net).

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