Genetic toxicology of vinyl chloride--a review.

Vinyl chloride (VC) is a colorless gas with a mild, sweet odor. It is extensively used in the production of vinyl chloride polymer, copolymer resin, packaging materials, wire and cable coatings as well as in industrial and laboratory intermediates. It is toxic and also carcinogenic in experimental animals. The wide human exposure to this compound in different industries throughout the world causes great concern for human health. In the present review an attempt has been made to evaluate and update the genotoxic effects of vinyl chloride based on the available literature.