Abstract
Chlorinated ethylenes are activated in mammalian metabolism to oxiranes. Only those with asymmetric chlorine substitution are mutagenic (trichloroethylene, vinylidine chloride and vinyl chloride) whilst the symmetric molecules (tetrachloroethylene, cis and trans 1.2 dichloroethylene) are inactive in this respect. Thus, stability of the oxiranes (higher in the symmetric molecules, lower in the asymmetric ones) seems to be the important feature for the mutagenic, and possibly carcinogenic potential.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 171-176 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | IARC scientific publications |
| Volume | Vol 13 |
| State | Published - 1976 |
| Externally published | Yes |