NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Hazard review of ethyleneimine (EI) (aziridine).

Authors
Lassiter DV
Source
NIOSH 1973 May; :1-7
NIOSHTIC No.
00136241
Abstract
The toxic hazards associated with exposure to ethyleneimine (151564) (EI) are discussed. Uses in textile treatment, adhesives and binders, rocket and jet fuels, chemosterilant chemicals, and chemotherapeutic agents are listed among the applications of EI. The hepatotoxic and neurotoxic effects of EI in rats and rabbits are noted, along with its mutagenicity in Drosophila, Neurospora, and plants and induction of chromosome aberrations in human and mouse cell cultures. Research findings are summarized for carcinogenicity tests of EI and related compounds in rats, including induction of injection site sarcomata, pancreatic tumors, mammary fibroadenoma, injection site fibroma, and renal carcinoma. The comparative carcinogenicity of EI and related compounds is discussed. Tumor induction is also described in mice injected subcutaneously with aziridine (151564), a closely related derivative of EI. Also described is a study by the National Cancer Institute in which EI was used as a positive control compound. The author notes that the carcinogenicity of EI to humans depends upon the extrapolation of test results in mice and rats. Previous researchers have stated that, regardless of the EI derivative, the EI prosthetic moiety may be primarily responsible for the carcinogenicity of the molecule.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Health-hazards; Industrial-chemicals; Employee-exposure; Animal-studies; Toxic-effects; Mutagenicity; Carcinogens; Comparative-toxicology
CAS No.
151-56-4; 151-56-4
Publication Date
19730501
Document Type
Other
Fiscal Year
1973
NTIS Accession No.
PB87-210803
NTIS Price
A02
NIOSH Division
ORSD
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
State
MD
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division