Human exposure may occur during the production and use of dichloroacetic acid and from drinking chlorinated water. The available data were too limited to form the basis for an evaluation of the carcinogenicity of dichloroacetic acid to humans. Neutralized dichloroacetic acid was tested by oral administration in males of one strain of mice in four studies. Increased incidences of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas were observed in all of the studies. 5.4 Other relevant data Dichloroacetic acid is metabolized in humans and experimental animals, and oxalate, thiodiacetic acid and unchanged dichloroacetic acid are excreted in urine.
Clearance is decreased in humans after repeated administration.
Dichloroacetic acid induces peroxisome proliferation in the livers of both rats and mice. No data were available on the effects of dichloroacetic acid on human reproduction. In rats and dogs, testicular degeneration can occur after exposure to this compound. The development of the heart, major vessels and kidney of rats can be affected by exposure in utero. The evidence for induction of DNA strand breaks in liver cells of rodents exposed to dichloroacetic acid in vivo was inconclusive.