IARC MONOGRAPHS

In 1969, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) initiated a programme on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans involving the production of critically evaluated monographs on individual chemicals. The programme was subsequently expanded to include evaluations of carcinogenic risks associated with exposures to complex mixtures, life-style factors and biological and physical agents, as well as those in specific occupations.

The objective of the programme is to elaborate and publish in the form of monographs critical reviews of data on carcinogenicity for agents to which humans are known to be exposed and on specific exposure situations; to evaluate these data in terms of human risk with the help of international working groups of experts in chemical carcinogenesis and related fields; and to indicate where additional research efforts are needed.

The lists of IARC evaluations are regularly updated and are available on Internet: http://monographs. iarc.fr/

This programme has been supported by Cooperative Agreement 5 UO1 CA33193 awarded since 1982 by the United States National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services. Additional support has been provided since 1986 by the European Commission, Directorate-General EMPL (Employment, and Social Affairs), Health, Safety and Hygiene at Work Unit, and since 1992 by the United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

This publication was made possible, in part, by a Cooperative Agreement between the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (USEPA-ORD) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and does not necessarily express the views of USEPA-ORD.

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• ©International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2006
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IARC Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

• Inorganic and Organic Lead Compounds/IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (2004 : Lyon, France)
• (IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans ; v. 87)
• 1. Carcinogens – congresses 2. Lead – adverse effects 3. Lead – toxicity I. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans II. Series
• ISBN 92 832 1287 8 (NLM Classification: W1)
• ISSN 1017-1606
• PRINTED IN FRANCE

1

Leaded gasoline: tetraethyl lead has been used as an additive in gasoline for decades.

2

Exposure to lead-based paint in older homes: a major source of lead exposure for children

3

Products like surma and kohl, used in some cultures for cosmetic purposes and in traditional medicine, often contain large amounts of lead.

4

Lead-acid batteries: the largest single application of lead world-wide

5

Lead-glazed tableware: the bluish-grey crackled glaze of these teacups may leach considerable amounts of lead.

6

Lead-based paint in older homes

Cover design: Georges Mollon, IARC