What is Chloroprene and What are the Effects of Exposure?
What is Chloroprene, and How is It Used?
The Toxic Effects of Chloroprene
Two Russian studies suggest that exposure to chloroprene is associated with increased incidence of lung and skin cancer. These results were taken from a large-scale investigation of industrial workers in Russia’s Yerevan region. Throughout 1956-1970, 137 cases of skin cancer out of 24,989 people were examined. The patients were divided into several different groups, with two groups in particular being people who worked with chloroprene and chloroprene derivatives. These groups had higher incidences of skin cancer than the groups who did not work with chloroprene. The researchers also concluded that development of chloroprene-induced skin cancer is preceded by chronic dystrophic and inflammatory skin ailments which are caused by the binding of chloroprene to the free SH groups in the cells, with the formation of RS-CH compound types.
A similar study was also performed, this one on the incidence of lung cancer among 19,979 workers in the same region. Throughout 1956-1970, there were 87 cases of lung cancer identified from the local oncology department’s records. The workers were divided into four subgroups based on their type of employment. Just like the other study, the people working around chloroprene had a significantly higher incidence of cancer. Similar studies suggest that chloroprene exposure may cause a two-to-five-fold risk increase for liver cancer. The EPA has classified chloroprene as likely to be carcinogenic to humans. The Du Pont company, which is a major producer of both chloroprene and neoprene, has informed its employees of the Russian studies, as well as alerted its customers to the possibility of escaping chloroprene during neoprene processing. The company is conducting human and animal studies to ascertain the carcinogenic potential of chloroprene.
The ill effects of chloroprene are not limited only to humans. Animal experiments have demonstrated that a concentration of at least 75 ppm of chloroprene can be toxic with continued exposure. Chloroprene is lethal because it can cause respiratory depression and asphyxiation. It can cause severe degenerative changes in the vital organs, along with drops in blood pressure. During tests with rats, it was demonstrated that chloroprene can cause a decrease in lymphocyte count, as well as changes in adrenal gland function. It can also interfere with the reproductive system, particularly in males. Functional spermatogenesis may be impaired, along with degeneration of the testes.