Time for Re-Evaluating the Human Carcinogenicity of Ethylenedithiocarbamate Fungicides? A Systematic Review

In January 2021, the European Union ended the license of Mancozeb, the bestselling ethylenedithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicide, because of some properties typical of human carcinogens. This decision contrasts the IARC classification of EBDC fungicides (Group 3, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity). A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted to explore the current evidence.

Human and experimental studies of cancer and exposure to EBDC fungicides (Mancozeb, Maneb, Zineb, and others) and ethylene thiourea (ETU), their major metabolite, published in English as of December 2021, were retrieved using PubMed, the list of references of the relevant reports, and grey literature.

The epidemiological evidence of EBDC carcinogenicity is inadequate, with two studies each suggesting an association with melanoma and brain cancer and inconsistent findings for thyroid cancer. Experimental animal studies point at thyroid cancer in rats and liver cancer in mice, while multiple organs were affected following the long-term oral administration of Mancozeb. The mechanism of thyroid carcinogenesis in rats has also been shown to occur in humans. Genotoxic effects have been reported.

The results of this systematic review suggest inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of EBDC fungicides from human studies and sufficient evidence from animal studies, with positive results on three out of ten key characteristics of carcinogens applying to humans as well. An IARC re-evaluation of the human carcinogenicity of EBDC fungicides is warranted.