Potential Environmental Carcinogens in Iran: A Brief Review

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally and a significant public health issue in Iran. Despite being the third leading cause of death in the country, the number of cancer-related deaths has been increasing in recent decades. A human carcinogen is an agent or environmental factor that can increase the incidence of cancer by either increasing the mutation rate or disrupting normal cell growth and division. Method: Bibliographic search was conducted on Health science based data banks (e.g. PubMed, ScienceDirect, GoogleScholasr…) mainly focusing on iran and Carcinogens. From more than ۴۰۰ related articles, ۸۰ manuscripts were retrieved and used for data collection. Results: In many parts of Iran, heavy metals identified among the main groups of environmental carcinogens which include arsenic, chromium, lead, cadmium, and nickel. Additionally, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) at least in Golestan Province. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) have also been associated with both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks remarkably reported in the city of Qom. Furthermore, antimony has been identified as a potentially carcinogenic heavy metal in urban soil as it has been detected in Bojnourd, Iran. Fine particles (PM۲.۵) have been classified as a Group ۱ carcinogen and have been linked to gender-specific lung cancer deaths in various cities of the country. Exposure to multiple air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, has also been associated with higher incidence rates of leukemia (e.g. in Tehran). The ۱,۳-butadiene occupational exposure, reportedly in a petrochemical plant, has been found to pose both cancer and non-cancer health risks. Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, have also been linked to various health issues, including cancer, in Iran. Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisins are among the most concerning mycotoxins due to their carcinogenic potential. These mycotoxins can induce various toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, and are prevalent in many foodstuffs in Iran. A study assessing the risk of mycotoxins in rice consumed by Iranians found significant health risks, particularly from aflatoxin B۱, which is associated with liver cancer, especially in individuals with hepatitis B. Conclusion: different types of carcinogens have been reported to have important roles in Iran from health hazard point of view including metals, PAH, some toxicants and natural toxins. However, there are some specific carcinogens reported in some specific parts of the country with significant health hazard effects.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cancer ، Heavy Metals ، Mycotoxins ، Polycyclic-Aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) ، Environmental Toxicology