NEWS RELEASE: LIST OF CANCER-CAUSING AGENTS GROWS

[John Jacobus <crispy_bird@yahoo.com>]

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services



NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH



NIH News



National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

(NIEHS) http://www.niehs.nih.gov/



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 31, 2005



LIST OF CANCER-CAUSING AGENTS GROWS



RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - The Department of

Health and Human Services released its Eleventh

Edition of the Report on Carcinogens today, adding

seventeen substances to the growing list of

cancer-causing agents, bringing the total to 246. For

the first time ever, viruses are listed in the

report: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and some

human papillomaviruses that cause common sexually

transmitted diseases. Other new listings include lead

and lead compounds, X-rays, compounds found in grilled

meats, and a host of substances used in textile dyes,

paints and inks.



"Among U.S. residents, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women

will develop cancer at some point in their lifetimes.

Research shows that environmental factors trigger

diseases like cancer, especially when someone has a

family history," said Kenneth Olden, Ph.D., director

of the National Institute of Environmental Health

Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, which

prepared the report for HHS.



The Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition, referred

to as the "RoC," lists cancer-causing agents in two

categories - "known to be human carcinogens" and

"reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." The

report now contains 58 "known" and 188 "reasonably

anticipated" listings. Federal law requires the

Secretary of the Department of Health and Human

Services to publish the report every two years.



Six substances have been added to the "known"

category:



Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)

are viruses that cause acute or chronic liver disease.

They are listed in the report as "known human

carcinogens" because studies in humans show that

chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections cause

liver cancer. Approximately one million United States

residents are chronically infected with HBV, which

primarily is transmitted through sexual contact (50%)

and intravenous drug use (15%).



HCV is the leading cause of liver disease in the

United States with more than three million people

infected. The major risk factor for hepatitis C

infection is illegal intravenous drug use, which

accounts for 60 percent of acute infections in adults.

The incidence of both hepatitis B and hepatitis C

infections is decreasing among United States

residents. A vaccine is available for preventing

hepatitis B infection but not hepatitis C infection.

Infections can also be prevented by screening blood

supplies, and by reducing contact with contaminated

fluids in health care settings.



Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are viruses that are

sexually transmitted and can infect genital and mucous

membranes.

Some of these genital mucosal type HPVs are listed in

the report as "known human carcinogens" because

studies show they cause cervical cancer in women.

Approximately 20 million people in the United States

are infected with genital HPVs, and 5.5 million new

infections occur each year. Most people infected do

not have symptoms, but some develop genital warts or

cervical abnormalities.



X-radiation and gamma-radiation are listed in the

report as "known human carcinogens" because human

studies show that exposure to these kinds of radiation

causes many types of cancer including leukemia and

cancers of the thyroid, breast and lung. The risk of

developing cancers due to these forms of ionizing

radiation depends to some extent on age at the time of

exposure. Childhood exposure is linked to an increased

risk for leukemia and thyroid cancer.

Exposure during reproductive years increases the risk

for breast cancer, and exposure later in life

increases risk for lung cancer. Exposure to

X-radiation and gamma radiation has also been shown to

cause cancer of the salivary glands, stomach, colon,

bladder, ovaries, central nervous system and skin.



Of the total worldwide exposure to X-radiation and

gamma- radiation, 55 percent is from low-dose medical

diagnosis such as bone, chest and dental X-rays, and

43 percent is from natural sources like radon. Other

sources, such as industry, scientific research,

military weapons testing, nuclear accidents and

nuclear power generation, account for about 2 percent.



Neutrons are also listed in the report as a "known

human carcinogen." They cause genetic damage similar

to that of X-radiation and gamma radiation, and thus

can cause the same cancers. Neutron radiation is used

less than other types of radiation in industry,

medicine, and research. The general population is

exposed to neutrons primarily from cosmic radiation

that penetrates the earth's atmosphere.



Eleven substances have been added to the "reasonably

anticipated" category:



Naphthalene is used as an intermediate in the

synthesis of many industrial chemicals, and has been

used as an ingredient in some moth repellants and

toilet bowl deodorants. Naphthalene is listed in the

report as "reasonably anticipated to be a human

carcinogen," based on inhalation studies in animals

which showed it causes rare nasal tumors in rats and

benign lung tumors in female mice.



MeIQ, MeIQx, and PhIP are heterocyclic amine compounds

formed when meats and eggs are cooked or grilled at

high temperatures. These compounds are also found in

cigarette smoke. They are listed in the report as

"reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens"

because oral studies in animals showed they caused

cancer in multiple organs including the forestomach,

colon, liver, oral cavity, mammary gland, skin, and

cecum. Several human studies suggest there is an

increased risk for breast and colorectal cancers

related to consumption of broiled or fried foods that

may contain these or other similar compounds.



MeIQ is 2-Amino-3, 4-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline

MeIQx is 2-Amino-3, 8-dimethylimidazo

[4,5-f]quinoxaline PhIP is

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine



Lead is used to make lead-acid storage batteries,

ammunition, and cable coverings. Lead compounds are

used in paint, glass and ceramics, fuel additives, and

in some ethnic and ceremonial cosmetics. The report

lists lead and lead compounds as "reasonably

anticipated to be human carcinogens" because exposure

to lead or lead compounds is associated with a small

increased risk for lung or stomach cancer in humans,

and cancer of the kidney, brain or lung in studies

with laboratory animals.



Cobalt Sulfate is used in electroplating, as coloring

agents for ceramics, and as drying agents in inks and

paints. Cobalt sulfate is listed as "reasonably

anticipated to be a human carcinogen" based on

inhalation studies in laboratory animals that showed

it causes adrenal gland and lung tumors.



Diazoaminobenzene is a chemical used as an

intermediate in the production of dyes and to promote

adhesion of natural rubber to steel. Diazoaminobenzene

is listed as "reasonably anticipated to be a human

carcinogen" based on evidence that it is metabolized

to benzene, a "known human carcinogen," and because it

causes genetic damage in laboratory animals.



Nitrobenzene is a chemical used mainly in the

production of other industrial chemicals. It is listed

as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen"

because inhalation studies of this compound produced

cancer in experimental animals.



1-Amino-2, 4-dibromoanthraquinone is a vat dye that is

used in the textile industry. It is listed as

"reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen"

based on evidence that it causes cancer in

experimental animals.



4,4'-Thiodianiline has been used as an intermediate in

the preparation of several kinds of dyes. It is listed

as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen"

based on evidence that it causes cancer in

experimental animals.



Nitromethane is used in specialized fuels, explosives,

and in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and

agricultural chemicals. It is listed as "reasonably

anticipated to be a human carcinogen" based on

evidence that it causes cancer in experimental

animals.



The Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition, is

prepared by the National Toxicology Program, an

interagency group coordinated by the U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services. The full report is

available at the NTP website

<http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov>.



The National Toxicology Program is located at the

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

(NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, NC. Part of the

National Institutes of Health, NIEHS looks at factors

in the environment that may be harmful to human

health.



##



This NIH News Release is available online at:

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2005/niehs-31.htm.



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=====

+++++++++++++++++++

"It doesn't matter whether you're riding an elephant or a donkey if you're going in the wrong direction."

Jesse Jackson





-- John

John Jacobus, MS

Certified Health Physicist

e-mail:  crispy_bird@yahoo.com





		

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