A comparison of liver tumor diagnoses from seven PCB studies in rats

Through a policy assumption, all polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are considered probable human carcinogens by most regulatory agencies based on experimental studies in rodents where an increased incidence of liver tumors has been observed. Recognizing that new consensus criteria for the diagnoses of liver tumors in rats had been promulgated, a reevaluation of liver tumor diagnoses from seven PCB studies in rats was undertaken. These seven studies, in which rats were fed PCB mixtures containing 42, 54, or 60% chlorine, were considered to be the best studies from which to evaluate the cancer potential of PCB mixtures. The reevaluation results, where consistent diagnoses now exist across all studies, clearly indicate major differences in carcinogenic potential based on degree of chlorination. Studies of mixtures with 60% chlorination consistently resulted in a high incidence of liver tumors, whereas studies in which rats were fed mixtures with 54 or 42% chlorination showed no statistically significant increases in liver tumors. These data indicate that continuation of a science policy of assuming that all PCBs are probable human carcinogens with a potency equivalent to the mixture that contains 60% chlorine has no scientific foundation and should be reconsidered.