Carcinogenicity of occupational and environmental chemical exposure

Cancer risk of certain chemicals by occupational and or environmental exposure has long been studied by researchers of different cancer research organizations such as International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cancer research UK and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Different classifications have been reported by different organizations on the cancer riskprobability of chemicals in humans. IARC classified carcinogenic chemicals into 5 groups of 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, whereas ACGIH divided into 5 groups of A1 to A5 and European Union classified the chemicals into 3 groups of 1A, 1B and 2. Group 1 or 1A/A1 include 120 recognized chemical carcinogen for humans. The other groups consist of chemicals that have less probable risk for human cancer. IARC have produced monographs for all the 120 chemicals. The other organizations have also provided data and information of carcinogenic chemicals that are available in their websites. The chemicals may enter the body via inhalation, oral and or by skin absorption. Food contamination by carcinogenic chemicals, occupational and environmental exposure to the chemicals are common due to industrialization. Certain chemicals of the polluted air and cigarette smoke are carcinogen. The carcinogenic chemicals may induce cancer in different body organs. When a chemical enter the body,cell injury will occur, the cell may die or survive or induce cancer by DNA changes in long term. Healthy life style is very important in prevention of cancer. Cessation of cigarette and alcohol consumption, regular physical exercises, eating more fruits and vegetables, marine foods and brown bread, having less saturated fat, red meat, processed and canned foods, avoid chemical contaminated foods and air pollution are needed for cancer prevention. Certain chemicals are carcinogen and thus should be avoided. These chemicals may enter the body via consumption of contaminated food or by inhalation or even by skin absorption. Therefore, awareness and education on cancer risk of chemical exposure are required

کلیدواژه ها:

Cancer Prevention ، Cell and Cancer ، Cancer Risks ، Lifestyle and Cancer ، Multidisciplinary Cancer Research