The polyglycidyl ether of substituted glycerine is obtained as a
reaction mixture of epichlorohydrin and glycerin. It is used in
conjunction with the epoxy resins in the manufacture of
adhesives. Because the compound is generally used in conjunction
with a curing agent, frequently active amines, the hazardous
properties of these substances must also be considered.
Carcinomas were produced on
the skin of mice painted with the material from once to
thrice weekly over a period of a year. No tumors were
produced on rabbit ears in a similar test. Sarcomas were
produced in rats by subcutaneous injection. When fed to
strain A mice at a concentration of 0.2% in the diet, there was
no increase in the incidence of spontaneous pulmonary
adenomas compared to controls. In a 6 month tumor
promotion study in mice, the material was assessed for both
tumor promotion and tumor initiation compared to positive
controls of dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) and tetradecanoyl
phorbol acetate (TPA), respectively. Test materials
were applied in 0.1mL quantities twice weekly for 26 weeks,
with initiation applications beginning on test day 2 and
promotion applications beginning on test day 6. Results
for initiation were inconclusive, since a small number of
skin masses were observed; however, the authors potentially
attributed these to high doses of TPA resulting in repeated
injury and healing cycles. As no lesions were observed with
the material in combination with DMBA, it was judged to
have no potential for tumor promotion.
