The carcinogenic potential of twelve refined mineral oils following long-term topical application

Abstract

Summary Twelve mineral oils, originating from naphthenic and paraffinic stocks and variously refined, were evaluated for their potential to induce cutaneous neoplasia in female CF1 mice. The oils were applied to the shorn dorsal skin for up to 78 weeks, using several different treatment regimes.The sole acid/earth refined naphthenic spindle oil was a moderately potent cutaneous carcinogen. By comparison, the 11 oils, processed by other refining routes, were less carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic to murine skin. Two of the 11 oils were weak cutaneous carcinogens viz, a naphthenic spindle oil refined only by mild hydrotreatment and a paraffinic spindle oil refined by mild solvent extraction and 'Ferrofining'. All 9 remaining oils had been solvent-extracted as part of the secondary refining process; none induced malignant tumours, although solitary benign tumours of the treated site were recorded after exposure to 3 oils.The cutaneous carcinogenic potential of the test oils did not correlate well with their potential to induce epidermal hyperplasia at the treated site. Consequently, hyperplasia caused after short term exposure is of little value for distinguishing between carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic oils.

Human health‐based soil cleanup guidelines for diesel fuel no. 2

“…There are numerous studies describing the carcinogenic potential of petroleum hydrocarbons, including diesel fuel (Smith et al, 1951;Hueper and Ruchhoft, 1954;Shubik and Saffiotti, 1955;Shapiro and Getmanets, 1962;Saffiotti and Shubik, 1963;Getmanets, 1967;Weil and Condra, 1977;Bingham and Barkley, 1979;Grimmer et al, 1982;Nesnow et al, 1982;Doak et al, 1983;Gradiski et al, 1983;Lewis, 1983;Blackburn et al, 1984;Coomes and Hazer, 1984;Haider et al, 1984;Kane et al, 1984;Karimov et al, 1984;Lewis et al, 1984;Cragg et al, 1985;Blackburn et al, 1986;Dutcher et al, 1986;Karimov et al, 1986;NTP, 1986;Witschi et al, 1987;Biles et al, 1988;Gerhart et al, 1988;API, 1989;McKee et al, 1989aMcKee et al, , 1989b. We have reviewed these studies and selected those that provide relevant data concerning the potential carcinogenicity of diesel fuel and middle distillates.…”

Scientific Opinion on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons in Food

“…Mineral oil preparations low in, or lacking, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons but containing longer chain aliphatic compounds, could act as tumour promoters in mouse skin, following initiation by a single treatment with a genotoxic compound, such as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g. benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) or 7,12-DMBA) (Fisher et al, 1951;Smith et al, 1951;Shubik and Saffiotti, 1955;Horton et al, 1957;Bingham and Barkley, 1979;Doak et al, 1983;Bingham, 1988;McKee et al, 1989). Studies on jute batching oil reached similar conclusions, i.e.…”

The Gulf Oil Spill

“…Acid refined mineral oils have a significant PAH content and have been shown to cause skin cancer in workers exposed to them (Jarvholm and Easton, 1990). Solvent refining procedures almost completely remove PAHs from mineral oils and, therefore, should almost completely eliminate the risks of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs (Bingham et al 1965;Doak et al 1983;IARC 1984). There is evidence, however, that the concentration of carcinogenic PAHs in solvent-refined cutting oils may increase during use, particularly during operations such as quenching where the oil is severely heated (Agarwal et al 1986;Apostoli et al 1993;IARC 1984;La Fontaine 1978;Thony et al 1976).…”