In various strains of mice, it produced liver tumours, including hepatocellular carcinomas.
Carbon tetrachloride is foetotoxic.
It was not mutagenic in bacteria. No epidemiological studies were available to the Working Group. Three case reports were available describing the appearance of liver tumours associated with cirrhosis following exposure to carbon tetrachloride. The extensive production and widespread use of carbon tetrachloride indicate that human exposure occurs. This is confirmed by many reports of its occurrence in the general environment and of numerous poisonings and fatalities due to this compound.