Ultraviolet Light Slated for Review as Carcinogen

 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC—The National Toxicology Program (NTP) plans to review the three wavelength groups of ultraviolet light—UVA, UVB, and UVC—for possible listing in the federal government’s Tenth Annual Report on Carcinogens. The three wavelengths occur in varying amounts in sunlight and in some forms of artificial light, such as that used in sun lamps and tanning beds.

Multilayered reviews are done to determine if a suspected carcinogen should be designated as a known human carcinogen or as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The first review is done by scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and a second by scientists from a number of federal agencies. Finally, a panel of outside experts examines the data in a public hearing.

Among other substances being considered for listing:

The fire retardants 2,2-bis-bromo-methylpropanediol and 2,3-dibromo-1-propanol.

Vinyl bromide, which is used in making flame-retardant synthetic fibers.

Vinyl fluoride, used in producing plastics.

Two classes of dyes—the dimeth-oxybenzidines and dimethylbenzidines—used in textiles, leather, plastics, paper, and rubber.

 Styrene-7,8-oxide, used in preparing fragrances and in some epoxy resins.

 IQ, a compound found in cooked meat and fish.

In addition, beryllium and beryllium compounds, currently on the reasonably anticipated list, will be reviewed for possible upgrading to known human carcinogens.