IARC Monographs Volume 136: full volume now available

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is pleased to announce that the full Volume 136 of the IARC Monographs is now available online. This volume comprises two monographs: talc and acrylonitrile. In response to public health demand, the monograph on talc was first released in advance on 30 June 2025.

The Working Group evaluated acrylonitrile as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) on the basis of sufficient evidence for cancer in humans. There was also sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence that acrylonitrile exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens in experimental systems.

Talc was evaluated as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) on the basis of the combinations of limited evidence for cancer in humans, sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence in human primary cells and experimental systems. This evaluation for talc supersedes the previous classifications of “talc not containing asbestos or asbestiform fibres” and “perineal use of talc-based body powder”. “Talc containing asbestos” was not re-evaluated and retains its classification in Group 1, within “Asbestos”.

Visit the Volume 136 webpage