I found the following article indicating evidence of some links between
ethoxyquin and some types of cancer in Medline.  (The asterisk emphasis
is mine ...)
 
Crit Rev Toxicol 1985;15(2):109-50
 
Carcinogenicity and modification of the carcinogenic response by BHA, BHT,
and other antioxidants.
 
Ito N, Fukushima S, Tsuda H
 
Carcinogenicity tests showed that addition of the antioxidant BHA to the
diet of F344 rats induced high incidences of papilloma and squamous cell
carcinoma of the forestomach of both sexes.  Male hamsters given BHA for 24
weeks also developed papilloma showing downward growth into the submucosa
of the forestomach.  These results indicate that BHA should be classified
in the category of "sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity" as judged by
IARC criteria.  The 3-tert isomer of BHA seemed to be responsible for the
carcinogenicity of crude BHA in the forestomach of rats.  BHT was not found
to be carcinogenic in rats or mice.  In two-stage carcinogenesis in rats
after appropriate initiation, BHA enhanced carcinogenesis in the
forestomach and urinary bladder of rats, but inhibited carcinogenesis in
the liver.  BHT enhanced the induction of urinary bladder tumors and
inhibited that of liver tumors, but had no effect on carcinogenesis in the
forestomach.  BHT could be a promoter of thyroid carcinogenesis.  Sodium
L-ascorbate enhanced forestomach and urinary bladder carcinogenesis.
 
*Ethoxyquin enhanced kidney and urinary bladder carcinogenesis, but
inhibited liver carcinogenesis.  Thus, these antioxidants modify two-stage
chemical carcinogenesis in the forestomach, liver, kidney, urinary bladder,
and thyroid, but show organ-specific differences in effects. *
 
PMID: 3899519, UI: 86003548
 
I also found the following notation on the Web site of the National
Institute of Health:
 
  Ethoxyquin
 ----------------
 
Ethoxyquin is used as an antioxidant preservative in animal feed and
dehydrated forage crops, as an antiscald agent in pears and apples, and as
a color preservative in spices.  Toxicity studies of ethoxyquin were
conducted because of increased use and high levels of ethoxyquin (150 ppm)
in animal feeds, and potential human exposure.
 
*Ethoxyquin is known to induce kidney damage in rats.* Fourteen-day and
90-day dosed feed toxicity studies in rats and mice have been completed.
(CONTACT PERSON: Dr. P. Chan, ETP, NIEHS)
 
Source:  http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/98AP/8Carc.html#ethoxyquin
 
Ela Heyn
Harborside Mail Stop 3024
201-860-3336
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[Posted in FML issue 2853]