• Carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens

The UWA Carcinogenic and Mutagenic Substances Committee and State Government's WorkSafe must approve the use of substances listed in Tables 10.1. 10.2 and 10.3 of the Work, Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022.

List of carcinogenic and mutagenic substances

This list of substances does not comprehensively cover potential or known carcinogens, and the onus is on the individual researchers to do thorough risk assessments and treat all chemicals with caution. For guidance, see the ChemAlert, Material Safety Data Sheet(s) for the chemical(s) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer

Schedule 10.1 Prohibited Carcinogenic substances to be used only for bona fide research [Regulation 340] 

Note: The number in square brackets is the substance's chemical abstract (CAS) number. 

  • 2-Acetylaminofluorene [53 96 3] 

  • Aflatoxins 

  • 4-Aminodiphenyl [92 67 1] 

  • Benzidine [92 87 5] and its salts (including benzidine dihydrochloride [531 85 1]) 

  • bis(chloromethyl) ether [542 88 1] 

  • Chloromethyl methyl ether [107 30 2] (technical grade containing bis(chloromethyl) ether) 

  • 4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene [60 11 7] 

  • 2-Naphthylamine [91 59 8] and its salts 

  • 4-Nitrodiphenyl [92 93 3] 

Schedule 10.2  Restricted Carcinogenic substances to be used only for purposes approved by the Commissioner [Regulation 381]. 

Note: The substance's chemical abstract number appears in square brackets. 

  • Acrylonitrile [107 13 1] 

  • Benzene [71 43 2] when used as a feedstock and containing more than 50 per cent of benzene by volume 

  • Cyclophosphamide [50 18 0] (cytotoxic drug) when used in preparation for therapeutic use in hospitals and oncological treatment facilities and in manufacturing operations 

  • 3,3-Dichlorobenzidine [91 94 1] and its salts (including 3,3-dichlorobenzidine dihydrochloride [612 83 9] 

  • Diethyl sulfate [64 67 5] 

  • Dimethyl sulfate [77 78 1] 

  • Ethylene dibromide [106 93 4] when used as a fumigant 

  • 4.4’ Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) [101 14 4] MOCA

  • Beta-Propiolactone [57 57 8] (2-propiolactone) 

  • o-Toluidine [95 53 4] and o-Toluidine hydrochloride [636 21 5] 

  • Vinyl chloride monomer [75 01 4] 

Schedule 10.3 Restricted Hazardous substances [Regulation 382].

The following substances are restricted from use in abrasive blasting:

  • Antimony and its compounds at or over a concentration of 0.1% as antimony.
  • Benzene (benzol) for spray painting at a concentration at or over 1% of benzene.
  • Beryllium and its compounds at or over a concentration of 0.1% as beryllium.
  • Cadmium and its compounds.
  • Chromate (for wet abrasive blasting).
  • Chromium and its compounds at or over a concentration of 0.5% (except as specified for wet blasting) as chromium.
  • Cobalt and its compounds at or over a concentration of 0.1% as cobalt.
  • Free silica (crystalline silica dioxide) over a concentration of 1%.
  • Lead and its compounds at or over a concentration of 0.1% as lead or which would expose the operator to levels in excess of those set in the regulations covering lead.
  • Nickel and its compounds at or over a concentration of 0.1% as nickel.
  • Nitrates for wet abrasive blasting.
  • Nitrites for wet abrasive blasting.
  • Radioactive substance of any kind where radiation exceeds 1 Bq/g (as far as reasonably practicable).
  • Tin and its compounds at or over a concentration of 0.1% as tin.

The following substances are restricted from use in spray painting:

  • Arsenic and its compounds.
  • Benzene (benzol) at or above 1% by volume.
  • Carbon disulphide (carbon bisulphide).
  • Lead carbonate.
  • Methanol (methyl alcohol), and its compounds at concentrations over 1% by volume.
  • Tetrachloromethane (Carbon tetrachloride).
  • Tetrachloroethane.
  • Tributyl tin

Assessing risk and ensuring safety

Chief investigators must gain approval to use carcinogenic substances listed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations in research. 

Responsibility for the health and safety aspects of a research project rests with the project's chief investigator, who must ensure that comprehensive risk assessments are performed, adequate facilities are available and suitable procedures are adopted to conduct the research in a safe manner. 

Alternatives to the use of potent carcinogens, mutagens or teratogens should always be considered in the first instance. Safety and Health is happy to provide advice on the use of carcinogenic substances and possible alternatives. 

Seek approval for use

Scheduled Carcinogens, Mutagens and Teratogens

Before purchasing reagents, the use, storage, handling, biomonitoring and disposal of  scheduled carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens requires approval from the UWA Carcinogenic and Mutagenic Substances Committee and WorkSafe.

Refer to Seek approval for carcinogen, mutagen or teratogen use.

Non-scheduled Carcinogens

Although approval is not required for the use of non-scheduled carcinogens, we recommend that you complete the form as part of the risk assessment. 

Monitor your health

Refer to the section above on Chemical Management: Risk Management and Emergencies.