The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has published its findings evaluating the carcinogenicity of automotive gasoline and certain oxygenated gasoline additives. The conclusions of the assessment have been published in a summary article in The Lancet Oncology.
On the basis that there is sufficient evidence for cancer in humans, the Working Group has evaluated automotive gasoline as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
Oxygenated additives MTBE and ETBE were both classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
Automotive gasoline causes cancer of the urinary bladder and acute myeloid leukaemia in adults. There is also limited evidence for a causal association between automotive gasoline and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and cancers of the stomach and kidney in adults.
The full scientific assessment will be published as Volume 138 of the IARC Monographs.
These updated classifications emphasise the potential cancer risks associated with occupational exposure to automotive gasoline and its additives. Employers should ensure that exposure to automotive gasoline and certain oxygenated gasoline additives is reduced to as low as reasonably practicable.
If you require advice on assessing or managing occupational exposure to automotive gasoline or its additives, please contact Rosie McKay on 01302 499050 or email rosiemckay@pragmaandassociates.co.uk.