All articles tagged with #carcinogens
Following a chemical derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, residents and their dogs were exposed to carcinogens; studying the dogs' quicker development of cancer could provide insights into the long-term cancer risks for humans.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a ban on two carcinogenic chemicals, trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (perc), used in various consumer and industrial products. This move aims to protect workers, consumers, and residents from the harmful effects of these substances, aligning with President Biden's efforts to enhance chemical safety regulations. The ban includes all consumer uses of perc and many commercial applications, such as dry cleaning and auto repair.
Dr. John Oertle, chief medical director at Envita Medical Centers, shared a list of 10 hidden carcinogens and their associated cancer risks, including tobacco, organochlorines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, UV radiation, radon, asbestos, cadmium, chromium, and nickel. These carcinogens are found in various sources such as pesticides, cigarette smoke, industrial products, and minerals. In addition to being aware of these carcinogens and limiting exposure, it's important to take steps to prevent inflammation to reduce the risk of cancer, according to Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and owner of Senolytix.
UCLA scientist Catherine Carpenter, Ph.D., warns that grilling meat at high temperatures can increase cancer risk due to the formation of carcinogenic chemicals like HCAs and PAHs when fat burns and meat chars. Long-term exposure to these chemicals is associated with higher risks of prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers. The practice of grilling is prevalent in the U.S., particularly among men and middle-aged individuals. To reduce health risks, Carpenter recommends cooking with indirect heat, frequent turning of meat, trimming charred parts, and using citrus-based marinades. Additionally, the beef industry contributes significantly to climate change, and reducing meat consumption can benefit both health and the environment.
Firefighters have a higher risk of cancer, with a nine percent increase in diagnoses and a 14 percent increase in cancer-related deaths compared to others. Mahlon Irish Jr., a former fire chief, introduced the practice of gross decontamination to fire stations in Central New York after being diagnosed with cancer. This process involves washing off carcinogens and ash from firefighter gear after responding to a call. While some firefighters are hesitant to adopt this practice, Irish emphasizes the importance of protecting their health. He has spent $2 million on his own health since his diagnosis and hopes to make a difference in reducing cancer risks for firefighters.
The FDA is planning to propose a ban on certain hair-straightening products, such as chemical relaxers, that have been linked to health risks. These products contain formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, which have been associated with an increased risk of hormone-related cancers, particularly among Black and Latina women. The FDA's proposed rule would ban these products and the agency will review public comments before deciding on further action. Lawmakers and advocates have applauded the FDA's action, emphasizing the importance of protecting public health, especially for marginalized communities. A study has found evidence of an association between hair-straightening products and uterine cancer, and a lawsuit has been filed against L'Oreal alleging that their products caused uterine cancer.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to propose a ban on certain hair-straightening products that contain formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals due to their link to health risks, including an increased risk of hormone-related cancers. Research suggests that these chemicals are more prevalent in products marketed to Black women. The FDA's proposed rule would also highlight the short-term adverse health effects associated with these products. Lawmakers and advocates have applauded the FDA's action and called for the ban to be implemented promptly. A study published last year found evidence of an association between hair-straightening products and uterine cancer.
Dermatologists and aesthetic experts warn that many chemicals commonly found in beauty products can be irritating to the skin, harmful to the environment, and potentially toxic. These chemicals, such as benzophenone, carbon black, ethanolamines, formaldehyde, fragrance, homosalate, hydroquinone, mica, octinoxate, parabens, phenylenediamine, toluene, and triclosan, have been linked to skin irritation, allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and even carcinogenic effects. Consumers are advised to read product labels, patch test new products, and consult with healthcare professionals or dermatologists if they have concerns about certain ingredients or potential allergies.
The Air Force Global Strike Command is taking immediate action to clean up and mitigate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), probable human carcinogens, at two Montana locations after initial results from a recent study showed PCB levels above the cleanup threshold. The study, conducted at Malmstrom Air Force Base, is addressing specific cancer concerns raised by missile community members. The Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and the Defense Centers for Public Health conducted air and swipe testing, with non-detectable results for PCBs in air samples from Launch Control Centers. Further results from other bases are pending, and a comprehensive response will be guided by the final analysis.
The United States Air Force has discovered unsafe levels of a likely carcinogen, PCBs, at underground launch control centers at a nuclear missile base in Montana, where a significant number of personnel have reported cancer diagnoses. This finding comes after a military briefing revealed that at least nine current or former missile staff at the base were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In response, the Air Force has ordered a cleanup operation and measures to mitigate exposure to potentially hazardous conditions. A grassroots group reports that at least 268 soldiers who served at nuclear missile sites have self-reported being diagnosed with cancer or other illnesses over the past few decades.
The still-smoldering fire at an Indiana recycling plant is spewing carcinogens more than a mile away, including "asbestos-containing" debris, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The evacuation order that forced 2,000 residents to flee their homes is still in effect as federal, state and local agencies develop plans to deal with the cancer-causing fragments in nearby neighborhoods. Hydrogen cyanide, benzene, chlorine, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds have also been detected in the evacuation zone. The exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
The "new car smell" that many people love could increase the risk of cancer, according to a study by scientists at Harvard University and the Beijing Institute of Technology. The study found that the air in new cars parked outside for 12 days contained chemical levels that exceeded China's national safety standard for air quality in cars. Formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing compound, surpassed standards by 35%, and another dangerous carcinogen, acetaldehyde, was 61% higher than the standard. Spending just 30 minutes daily in a car can expose a person to enough of these carcinogens to put them at risk of exceeding safety standards.