| Agent Name |
Soots |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Soot |
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| Category |
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons |
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| Description |
Black particles formed from combustion of coal, wood, fuel oil, waste oil, paper, plastics, and other organic materials and refuse; Soots contain about 60% or greater carbon content, plus inorganic and soluble organic fractions. [NTP] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Unwanted combustion by-products from fireplaces, furnaces, engine exhaust, etc. Potentially exposed workers include chimney sweeps, heating-unit service laborers, brick masons, demolition laborers, insulators, firefighters, metallurgical workers, and others who burn organic materials. [NTP] |
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| Comments |
Exposure to soots in chimney sweeps was first linked to skin (scrotal) cancer in 1775. The soluble organic fraction of soots consists of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and there derivatives. Inorganic chemicals present in soots include a number of carcinogens: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel. [NTP] Soots are occupational carcinogens with strong associations for skin and lung cancer and a suggestive association for esophageal cancer. [Siemiatycki, p. 327] Chimney sweeps had increased risk of skin and lung cancer. [IARC] |
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| Reference Link |
NTP: Soots |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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