Lung tumor response in mice to metals and metal salts.

Two studies tested the ability of metals and their salts to produce lung tumors in strain A mice. Of 13 compounds examined, lead subacetate, manganous sulfate, molybdenum trioxide, and nickelous acetate elicited a weakly carcinogenic response following intraperitoneal injection. Nine metallic compounds were negative. There was no evidence of cocarcinogenic effect between metals and the chemical carcinogen, 3-methylcholanthrene. On the basis of these and other data, recommendation is made for further investigations in metal carcinogenesis.