Carcinogen - Substances that can cause Cancer

Carcinogen

Carcinogen are those substance which are directly involved in causing cancer. Its includes not only those components which which are directly linked to causing cancer but also those which are suspected to help a cancer causing element to evolve.

Carcinogen are available in plenty of things in our nearby object but we hardly recognize them. Here we list some most common carcinogens are making us prone to cancer in our own house and outside our house.

Carcinogens inside our house

• Formaldehyde, a chemical common in building materials. Formaldehyde is a class A carcinogen. Here Class A means worst of its types. Formaldehyde have 50 different synonyms, which are used by manufacturers to hide its presence in their product. Methyl Aldehyde is one such common synonym.
• Styrene, which is used to make plastics and rubber.
• Bisphenol, used in the manufacture of food containers and drink bottles
• Polychlorinated biphenyls found in coolants, flame-retardants and plastics. It affects nervous system and also linked to liver and brain cancers.
• Perfluorinated found in fast food packaging, non-stick utensils, stain resistant carpets and furniture polishes. It makes people prone to bladder cancer.
• Organochlorides found in plant pesticides toand mosquito repellents. It can create male genital problems and its disrupts the hormone secretion.
• Phthalates found in plastics (water bottles and toys of children and many perfume bottles). Its also a hormone disrupter.
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers found in flame-retardants in cars, furniture and TVs, and in clothing treatments. It causes severe hormone disruption and blood disorders.

Carcinogens outside our house

• IARC has classified outdoor air pollution as a carcinogen in 2013. Previously diesel engine exhaust, solvents, metals, and dust were categorized as carcinogens but not complete outdoor air pollution is mentioned as a cancinogen. It is a good step to make people aware of the bad effect of air pollution.
• Particulate Matter is another carcinogen. However its a part of air pollution. It is combination of extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets found in air.

Miscellaneous Facts

• You are inviting cancer to infect you or you family member if you are living near main roads.
• Children are at most risk if you are living near petrol stations.
• If you think farmers living in a natural environment are at lower risk of getting cancer, then you are wrong. Pesticides and herbicides used in farms are one of the major causes to develop several types of cancer.
• Living near power cables or electricity sub-stations is also found dangerous for your health.
• Some studies have found that living near chemical factories, steel makers, wood cutters/timber merchants or cement factories increases the risk of getting blood cancer or kidney cancer.