National Toxicology Program technical report series
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Natl Toxicol Program Tech Rep Ser · Jan 1993
Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Furan (CAS No. 110-00-9) in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice(Gavage Studies).
Furan serves as an intermediate in the synthesis and preparation of numerous linear polymers used to prepare temperature-resistant structural laminates and to prepare copolymers used in machine dishwashing products as alternatives to phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing detergents. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies were conducted by administering furan (purity > 99%) in corn oil by gavage to groups of F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex for 16 days, 13 weeks, and 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, Drosophila melanogaster, mouse bone marrow cells, mouse L5178Y lymphoma cells, and Chinese hamster ovary cells. 16-Day Studies: Groups of five male rats received doses of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg of furan per kg of body weight and groups of five female rats and five mice of each sex received doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg in corn oil by gavage. ⋯ Nonneoplastic liver lesions associated with furan administration in rats and mice included biliary tract fibrosis, hyperplasia, inflammation, and proliferation, as well as hepatocellular cytomegaly, degeneration, hyperplasia, necrosis, and vacuolization. In rats, increased severity of nephropathy with an associated increased incidence of parathyroid hyperplasia was associated with exposure to furan. Synonyms: Divinylene oxide, tetrole, furfuran, oxole, 1,4-epoxy-1,3-butadiene, axole, oxacyclopentadiene