Science Panel Largely Agrees With NTP, Says TCE Is Known Human Carcinogen

A panel of 10 toxicologists, epidemiologists and others largely agreed Aug. 12 with the National Toxicology Program’s draft determination that trichloroethylene (TCE) should be classified as a known human carcinogen.

There is sufficient evidence to determine that human exposure to TCE (Chemical Abstracts Service No. 79-01-6), used as a metal cleaner and degreaser, causes kidney cancer, and limited evidence that human exposure to TCE causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the panel said in an almost unanimous vote. TCE is currently classified as reasonably anticipated to be carcinogenic to humans in the NTP’s “Report on Carcinogens.”

The panel approved the monograph by nine ...