Lack of carcinogenicity of 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene on mouse skin

Seven phenols of benzo(a)pyrene (4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) were tested for carcinogenicity on mouse skin by application of 0.4 mumole of compound once every two weeks for 56 weeks. None of the seven phenols tested was carcinogenic to mouse skin, while treatment with the same dose of benzo(a)pyrene produced tumors in 92% of the treated animals. The lack of carcinogenicity of 7- and 8-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene indicates that the strong carcinogenic activity previously reported for benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-oxide was not due to either phenolic isomerization product of this arene oxide.