The available data were too limited to form the basis for an evaluation of the carcinogenicity of vinyl acetate to humans. 5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data Vinyl acetate was tested in one experiment in mice and in one experiment in rats by inhalation. No increase in tumour incidence was found in rats administered vinyl acetate in the drinking-water in utero and then for life. 5.4 Other relevant data Vinyl acetate is rapidly metabolized by esterases in human blood and animal tissues to acetaldehyde and acetic acid. Vinyl acetate irritates the eye and respiratory system.
Respiratory distress is seen after subchronic exposure by inhalation.
Other effects included nasal irritation, nasal mucosal metaplasia, tracheal metaplasia and bronchitis or bronchiolitis. After chronic exposure by inhalation, changes were observed in the lung. Non-neoplastic effects, atrophic and regenerative changes, were seen in the nasal cavity. After chronic exposure via the drinking-water, the only effects observed were decrements in body weight at high doses. There are no data on the effects of vinyl acetate on human reproduction.