https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/717272

RoC Review of Pentachlorophenol and By-products of its Synthesis (PCP)

Power lines against a blue sky

Substance Overview

Status: RoC: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen
Profile: Pentachlorophenol (PCP) (220.13 KB)

Primary Uses or Exposures

  • A complex mixture of chemicals primarily used as wood preservatives. The mixture includes pentachlorophenol and additional chlorinated molecules (particularly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans) that are formed as by-products because of the elevated temperatures and pressures used in the production processes.
  • Currently used for the treatment of utility poles, cross arms, wooden pilings (e.g., wharf pilings), fence posts, and lumber or timbers for construction. In the past (prior to 1984) it also was used as a biocide and was found in ropes, paints, adhesives, leather, canvas, insulation, and brick walls.
  • People are exposed to PCP in workplaces (via inhalation or through the skin) that produce PCP (past) or use treated wood.
  • In their everyday lives, people can be exposed to PCP from the environment by breathing contaminated outdoor or indoor air or indoor dust, from the soil, and by ingesting water or food.

Documents

Documents for Pentachlorophenol and By-products of its Synthesis
Date Document
Aug 30, 2012 RoC Concept
Nov 02, 2012 RoC Protocol: Evaluation of Cancer Studies in Experimental Animals
Aug 15, 2013 RoC Protocol: Evaluation of Human Cancer Studies
Aug 15, 2013 Literature Search and Identified Citations - Preliminary
Jul 22, 2014 RoC Monograph - Final (Abstract)

Preferred Citation: National Toxicology Program (NTP). 2014. Report on Carcinogens monograph on pentachlorophenol and by-products of its synthesis. Research Triangle Park, NC: National Toxicology Program. RoC Monograph 03. https://doi.org/10.22427/ROC-MGRAPH-03

Meetings & Events

Listing of related events
Date Event Event Type Materials
Apr 11, 2013

NTP Report on Carcinogens Webinar on Pentachlorophenol: Human Cancer Studies on Exposure to Pentachlorophenol (PCP): Differentiating Potential Cancer Effects of PCP Exposure from Effects Due to Occupational Co-exposures or PCP Contaminants

Webinars & Workshops - RoC

  • Agenda
  • Meeting Materials

    NTP Report on Carcinogens Webinar on Pentachlorophenol: Human Cancer Studies on Exposure to Pentachlorophenol (PCP): Differentiating Potential Cancer Effects of PCP Exposure from Effects Due to Occupational Co-exposures or PCP Contaminants Meeting Materials
    April 11, 2013

    Supplemental materials for some events, meetings, and workshops prior to 2021 have been archived. These archived materials frequently include presentations, background materials, and public comments. Email us or use our contact form to request a list or copy of archived materials.

Dec 12, 2013

Peer Review of Draft RoC Monographs for ortho-Toluidine and Pentachlorophenol

Expert Panels - RoC

Apr 16, 2014

NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Meeting

Board of Scientific Counselors - BSC Meeting

  • Agenda
  • Meeting Materials

    NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Meeting Meeting Materials
    April 16-18, 2014

    Supplemental materials for some events, meetings, and workshops prior to 2021 have been archived. These archived materials frequently include presentations, background materials, and public comments. Email us or use our contact form to request a list or copy of archived materials.

Supplemental materials for some events, meetings, and workshops prior to 2021 have been archived. These archived materials frequently include presentations, background materials, and public comments. Email us or use our contact form to request a list or copy of archived materials.

Public Comments

List of Public Comments for the Report on Carcinogens
Date Received Commenter(s) Affiliation In Response To
Feb 21, 2012 E. John Wilkinson
  • Attachment 1: Golden
  • Attachment 2: Munro
Pentachlorophenol Task Force Jan 19, 2012 Federal Register notice
Aug 15, 2013 Herbert Estreicher, J.D., Ph.D. Keller and Heckman LLP, on behalf of Pentachlorophenol Task Force Other
Sep 24, 2013 Herbert Estreicher, J.D., Ph.D. Keller and Heckman LLP, on behalf of Pentachlorophenol Task Force Aug 21, 2013 Federal Register notice
Sep 24, 2013 Robert Golden, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Delzell, Sc.D. Pentachlorophenol Task Force Aug 21, 2013 Federal Register notice
Sep 28, 2013 Robert Golden, Ph.D. Pentachlorophenol Task Force Aug 21, 2013 Federal Register notice

Note on Accessibility: Persons with disabilities or using assistive technology may find some documents are not fully accessible. For assistance, email us or use our contact form and identify the documents/pages for which access is required. We will assist you in accessing the content of these files. NIEHS has helpful information on accessibility.