Technical-grade chloromethyl methyl ether produced local sarcomas in mice after its subcutaneous administration and was an initiator of mouse skin tumors after topical application. It produced a low incidence of tumors of the respiratory tract in rats and hamsters after exposure by inhalation. The compound is also an initiator of skin tumors in mice. Among heavily exposed workers, the relative risks are tenfold or more.
Risks increase with duration and cumulative exposure.
Histological evaluation indicates that exposure results primarily in lung cancer of the small-cell type. Maximal relative risks appear to occur 15-20 years after first exposure, and latency is shortened among workers with heavier exposure. Their decomposition in air is less rapid than in water. When heated to decomposition, these chemicals emit toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds. No data on imports or exports were available for these compounds.