Monday, October 27, 1997
New Scientific Review of Saccharin
to be Discussed as Board Reviews Proposed Listings for 9th Report on Carcinogens
- Benzidine-based dyes -- a class of more than 250 dyes primarily used to dye textiles, leather and paper;
- Chloroprene, used to make industrial rubber products and as a component of adhesives in food packaging;
- Phenolphthalein, an ingredient in some nonprescription laxatives which a study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences already has caused the Food and Drug Administration to review its use as a nonprescription drug;
- Inorganic acid mists containing Sulfuric acid, generated in refining petroleum, in ore concentration and in removing impurities from iron, steel and other metals;
- Tetrafluoroethylene, which is used in making Teflon and was used as a propellant in food and cosmetic aerosols;
- Trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent for vapor degreasing and cold cleaning fabricated metal parts. It has also been used as a carrier in insecticides and fungicides -- and was once commonly used to decaffeinate coffee but has been replaced by a water process;
- Tamoxifen, a drug used in the palliative treatment of breast cancer and in preventing recurrence. (As with many cancer drugs, the labeling already reflects studies indicating the drug may sometimes also cause cancer in animals or humans.)
In addition, several already listed substances would be reviewed as candidates to move from "anticipated" human carcinogens to the stronger category of "known" human carcinogens:
- Butadiene, a chemical used in making synthetic rubber;
- Cadmium and cadmium compounds, used in batteries, alloys, coating and plating, plastic and synthetic products;
- Dioxin, or tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), formed as an impurity or byproduct in herbicide manufacture, as in the Agent Orange sprayed by the U.S. military to defoliate parts of Vietnam, and during incineration and in several industrial processes.
Both Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 sessions begin at 8:30 AM.