Cocarcinogenic effects of n-alkanes and ultraviolet light on mice.

A comparison was made of the effects of repeated topical applications to mice of three n-paraffins (n-decane), n-dodecane, and n-tetradecane) on the carcinogenic potential of UV light at three wavelength regions: 254 nm, 290-320 nm, and greater than 350 nm. All three n-alkanes had a cocarcinogenic effect at 254 nm, whereas only n-dodecane was effective from 290 to 320 nm. Radiation at wavelengths longer than 350 nm, generally considered noncarcinogenic, produced tumors on the backs of mice treated with n-decane or n-tetradecane.