EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether (BCMEE) is a b-haloether with numerous industrial uses and is primarily produced as a by-product from the manufacture of propylene glycol and propylene oxide. Its generation as a by-product results in the most significant potential for environmental contamination. Technical grade BCMEE [~70% bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether and ~30% 2-chloro-1-methyl-(2-chloropropyl) ether] induced tumors of the liver in male mice and of the lung in female mice. Some evidence suggested the induction of lung tumors in male mice as well, and there was some suggestion of forestomach effects related to compound administration. Since currently available evidence cannot eliminate the possibility that other components of technical grade BCMEE are not also active, conclusions regarding the evidence of carcinogenicity are limited to the technical grade material. BCMEE also has demonstrated genotoxic potential in a number of short-term tests in vitro. In support of the concern for the carcinogenicity of BCMEE, haloethers with structural homology to BCMEE have shown evidence of carcinogenicity. There is evidence for the carcinogenicity of technical grade bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether, with the development of lung tumors in male and female mice, and liver tumors in male mice. Further evidence of carcinogenic potential is provided by genotoxicity in several short-term tests, and by strong chemical structural analogies with known carcinogens.

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