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The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), which is part of the National Institutes of Health, released its updated list of known or suspected cancer-causing agents on January 31, 2005. New items in the "known to be human carcinogens" category are: • Hepatitis
B viruses (HBV) and Hepatitis C viruses (HCV)
– This year's report marked the first time
that viruses were placed on the list. HBV is primarily
transmitted through sexual contact (50%) and IV drug
use (15%), while HCV is primarily transmitted through
IV drug use (60%).
• Human
papillomaviruses (HPVs) – This virus
is sexually transmitted.
• X-radiation and gamma-radiation
– The press release notes that of total worldwide
exposure to these types of radiation, 55% is from
low-dose medical diagnosis x-rays, 43% is from natural
sources (e.g. radon), and 2% is from sources such
as industry, weapons testing, nuclear power, etc.
• Neutrons – With
the exception of some individuals using this type
of radiation in industry, medicine, and research,
most of us get our exposure from cosmic radiation. New items in the "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens" category are: • Naphthalene – Most
people would know of this material from mothballs,
but it's also found in some toilet bowl deodorants.
• MelQ, MelQx, and PhlP
– No, they're not current hip-hop bands, designer
labels, or text-messaging abbreviations, they're
compounds formed when meats and eggs are cooked or
grilled at high temperatures, and compounds found
in cigarette smoke. (For other reasons not to smoke,
see: Taking
on a Giant.)
• Lead – Lead, or
its compounds, can be found in numerous places, e.g.
ammunition, paint, glass, ceramics, fuel additives.
• Cobalt Sulfate –
This is used in electroplating, and as coloring agents
in ceramics, and as drying agents in inks and paints.
• Diazoaminobenzene –
This is used in the production of dies and to promote
adhesion of rubber to steel.
• Nitrobenzene –
This is used mostly in the production of other chemicals.
• Amino-2, 4-dibromoanthraquinone
– This is a dye used in the textile industry.
• 4,4'-Thiodianiline –
This is used in dye preparation.
• Nitromethane –
This is used in some fuels, explosives, and the synthesis
of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. Discuss This ArticleHave something you'd like to say? Tell us what you think! Read and post comments for this article. Like this article? Read more! Browse our archive of 1,133 articles. Also, see our master index of all MedHunters articles! Find a JobChoose your career: MedHunters is the world's biggest healthcare job board. Our job directory has 17,260 jobs with 2,476 hospitals and other direct employers. We want you to find your next job on MedHunters. Need Help? Call us at 1-888-884-8242, email us at info@medhunters.com or sign up now. Have an article or story for MedHunters? Email us today at submissions@medhunters.com. |
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