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 [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 2853]