US EPA

2858986 

Technical Report 

Report on Carcinogens (RoC) Concept: Cumene 

2013 

NTIS/12670197 

GRA and I 

GRA and I 

Cumene (CASRN 98-82-8, isopropylbenzene) is an alkylated benzene found in fossil fuels, such as blended gasoline and kerosene, and products of incomplete combustion (IARC2012). It has a gasoline-like odor and can exist as a vapor in ambient air. Cumene is structurally similar to benzene, toluene, styrene, xylene, and ethylbenzene. It is a high production volume chemical in the United States with the majority of its use in the synthesis of acetone and phenol. Cumene has been selected as a candidate substance for the RoC based on widespread current U.S. exposure and an adequate database of cancer studies. Exposure to cumene comes from the use of fossil fuels, solvents, and cigarette smoke. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) completed a series of cumene inhalation toxicology and carcinogenesis studies (NTP 2009) and disposition and metabolism studies in rats and mice.