List of cancer-causing substances gets longer

[Guest guest]

There are probably thousands of toxic substances in our environment

that can cause cancer but it will be a very long time before most of

them ever make this list as the system is set up to protect the toxic

substance makers/abusers and not the population.

 

 

 

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6890617/

 

List of cancer-causing substances gets longer

Government adds 17 new agents, including first viruses

The Associated Press

Updated: 5:35 p.m. ET Jan. 31, 2005

 

WASHINGTON - The government is adding viruses for the first time to

its list of known or suspected causes of cancer, including hepatitis B

and C and a third virus that causes sexually transmitted diseases.

Lead, X-rays and compounds in grilled meats also are joining the list.

 

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It has been known that the hepatitis viruses can cause liver cancer

and that some forms of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus

can cause cervical cancer.

 

But they were added to the list Monday only after officials decided to

go beyond the report's historical focus on the occupational and

environmental causes of cancer, said Dr. Christopher Portier,

associate director of the National Toxicology Program, which prepared

the latest update.

 

Expanded report

" We felt (the report) needed to be expanded to include other things in

our general environment that can cause cancer, " Portier said.

 

The list, which now identifies 246 known or suspected cancer-causing

agents, is intended to give people who may or may not be exposed to

any of the substances something to think about, he said.

 

Take X-rays, added to the " known " category. " This is simply to remind

them that when they are making a decision about an X-ray to think

about it and talk it over with your physician, " Portier said.

 

But the American College of Radiology faulted the addition of X-rays

and gamma rays, saying it was misleading and could prompt patients to

avoid getting needed care.

 

" X-rays and gamma rays are not substances that the general public has

access or exposure to and do not belong on a list of substances that

pose a risk to people in the course of their normal, daily lives, " Dr.

James Borgstede, chairman of the radiology college's board of

chancellors, said in a statement.

 

Substances from cooked meats

New to the suspected category are substances that form when meats are

cooked or grilled at high temperatures. Studies suggest an increased

cancer risk when foods containing them are eaten.

 

But " does that mean you have to throw out your barbecue grill? " asked

Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, a critic of the list from the American Council

on Science and Health, a consumer education group.

 

She said the " not consumer friendly " list should include information

on the types of exposures and dosages that cause cancer, as well as on

the health benefits of some of the substances identified, such as

tamoxifen, the breast cancer treatment pill.

 

Lead, used to make lead-acid storage batteries, ammunition and cable

coverings, and lead compounds, used in paint, glass and ceramics, in

some cosmetics and as a fuel additive also joined the suspect list.

 

Portier said other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection

Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, are responsible for

determining exposure levels, dosages and other issues.

 

" We think everything on this list is, in fact, relevant to people's

daily lives and the public health of the country, " he said.

 

The Report on Carcinogens — which federal law requires the health and

human services secretary to update every two years — lists 58 " known "

and 188 " reasonably anticipated " cancer-causing substances.

 

It was prepared by the National Toxicology Program of the National

Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, and was last updated in

December 2002.

 

Click for related story

 

Read the full report online

 

 

 

 

 

http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=72016262-BDB7-CEBA-FA60E922B18C2540

 

Report on Carcinogens Print Format Printable Version

 

View the 11th Report on Carcinogens (or download a copy in zipped

format - 30mb)

 

* Federal Register Notice

* Eleventh Report on Carcinogens - Factsheet (identifies new listings)

* NIEHS Press Release

* Background information on the 11th Report on Carcinogens

 

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