A two-year inhalation study of the carcinogenic potential of ethylene oxide in Fischer 344 rats.

Fischer 344 rats were exposed to 100, 33, 10, or 0 ppm of ethylene oxide vapor (EtO) by inhalation for 6 hr per day, 5 days per week, for approximately 2 years. Inhalation of EtO resulted in a significant depression of body weight gain in the 100- and 33-ppm exposure groups and a significant increase in mortality in the 100-ppm group. Through 18 months of exposure to EtO, no statistically significant increases in tumor incidence were observed. After 18 months, the incidence of primary brain tumors was increased for both sexes. Statistical evaluation indicated a treatment-related response, particularly for the male rats, in the 100- and 33-ppm exposure groups. After 24 months of exposure, histologic findings confirmed hematologic evidence that exposure to EtO resulted in an increased prevalence of mononuclear cell leukemia, which is a neoplasm that is common in aged Fischer 344 rats. This increase was dose related and increased for each of the three exposure concentrations. The percentage of female rats with multiple neoplasms was also greater in all three exposure groups than in controls. Furthermore, in both the 100- and 33-ppm exposure groups, the percentage of female rats with at least one malignant neoplasm was increased. An increased frequency of peritoneal mesothelioma was treatment related in the male rats exposed to 100 or 33 ppm of EtO. This study has shown biologically significant adverse effects at all concentrations tested. The incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia, peritoneal mesothelioma, and primary brain tumors in the air-control rats were similar to those reported in the literature. The possible contribution of a sialodacryoadenitis viral outbreak (which occurred during the 15th exposure month) to the EtO exposure-related tumors is unknown, though unlikely.