Cumene
The mode of action (MOA) research program for cumene is designed to test the hypothesis that cumene cancer induction observed in the target organs identified in the NTP chronic bioassays – liver and lung of mice, and the kidney of male rats – operates in similar fashion to that observed for the structurally related compounds ethylbenzene and styrene. Each of these compounds appears to involve a nongenotoxic MOA for cancer induction. For the liver, the hypothesized MOA involves a nuclear receptor-mediated response, namely, CAR/PXR. For lung tumors observed in mice, cumene is hypothesized to operate through club cell CYP2F2-mediated metabolism. And for the kidney, sex-specific cumene-induced kidney tumors in male rats are hypothesized to operate through the accumulation of the sex-specific protein α2u-globulin in male rats, a MOA considered not to be relevant for assessing human health risk for this endpoint.
Cumene Facts
- Cumene, also known as isopropylbenzene, 2-phenylpropane or (1-methylethyl) benzene, is widely used as a chemical intermediate in the production of phenol and acetone.
- Cumene is also used as a thinner for paints, lacquers, and enamels and it is a natural component of coal tar and petroleum.
- U.S. production of cumene, including imports, is about 7 billion pounds annually. This data is collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the TSCA Chemical Data Rule (CDR) Form U Report and is updated every four years.
Cumene Industry Group Members
The Cumene Panel is comprised of the leading manufacturers and major consumers of cumene in the United States.