Toxicity Profiles

RAGs A Format for Fluoranthene - CAS Number 206440

Fluoranthene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). It exists as pale yellow needles or plates. Fluoranthene is almost insoluble in water, but is soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene, and acetic acid. Fluoranthene can be produced by the pyrolysis of organic raw materials such as coal and petroleum at high temperatures; it is also known to occur naturally as a product of plant biosynthesis. Fluoranthene is a constituent of coal tar and petroleum-derived asphalt. Currently, there is no known production or use of this compound.

Fluoranthene can be absorbed through dermal exposure and, based on similar PAHs, would be expected to be absorbed from the digestive tract and lungs. Although a large body of literature exists on the toxicity and carcinogenicity of PAHs, toxicity data for fluoranthene are very limited. No human data were available that addressed the toxicity of fluoranthene. Toxicity studies in animals have shown that fluoranthene exposure can cause eye irritation, nephropathy, increased liver weights, and increased liver enzyme levels.

No oral or inhalation bioassays were available to assess the carcinogenicity of fluoranthene to humans; bioassays by other exposure routes generally gave negative results. Studies involving topical application to the skin of mice and subcutaneous injection in mice provided no evidence of carcinogenicity. Fluoranthene was also inactive in mouse skin initiation and promotion assays. Based on no human data and inadequate data from animal bioassays, U.S. EPA has placed fluoranthene in weight-of-evidence group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.

The following is a presentation of the toxicity information associated with Fluoranthene.

Noncarcinogenic Health Effects

• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is 4.00E-02 (mg/kg-day).
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has a modifying factor of 1.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has an uncertainty factor of 3000.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is based on the U.S. EPA study from 1988.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study target organ is liver.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study critical effects are nephropathy, increased weight, alterations and clinical effects.
• The overall confidence in the Oral Chronic Reference Dose is low.
• The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is 1.24E-02 (mg/kg-day).
• The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is based on a gastrointestinal absorption factor of 0.3100.