[Mechanisms of action for metallic elements and their species classified as R40 by EU].

In this part of our survey we dealt with other metallic elements and species (antimony, lead and vanadium) classified by EU as R40 and not with the risk phrases R45 and R49. They are also differently considered by different Agency and Scientific Societies in respect to their carcinogenicity. Also for Pb, Sb, V and related species the carcinogenic effect is related with oxidation state, charge, the solubility, type of binding, stereochemistry. Some common mechanisms of carcinogenesis are the induction of oxidative stress, to inhibition of DNA repair, from activation of mitogenic signalling, to epigenetic modification of gene expression and each species lead to specific molecular interactions and were subject to different bioavailability. We focused in particular the mechanisms of action for lead, element moved in last IARC examination from group 2B to group 2A, with important potential consequences for EU classification In general for metallic elements even differently classified in respect to their carcinogenicity, knowledge of action mechanisms would give additional tools to reach more adequate risk assessment procedures and the preventive-health surveillance measures.