Research related to the herbicide buvinol, especially for possible carcinogenicity

The Budapest Chemical Works (Hungary) has conducted a study on a new herbicide called 'Buvinol', containing 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyethanol (TCPE). In long-term carcinogenicity testing, the oral administration of the maximum tolerated dose of TCPE (70 mg/kg), containing 0.1 ppm 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin, increased the incidence of liver tumours in male mice, while smaller doses (1/10 and 1/100) did not. Dioxin in the dose range used (0.1--10 ppm) did not influence tumour frequency. Exposure of workers to TCPE during its production or use should be controlled and reduced.