Carcinogen
A substance or agent that causes cancer.
Related terms include the adjective 'carcinogenic' and the nouns 'carcinogenesis' and 'carcinogenicity.' One of the best-known carcinogens is ionizing radiation.</P> The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified some 60 substances and processes as probably or definitely carcinogenic in humans.
These substances and processes are divided into three categories -- Agents and groups of agents, Mixtures, and Exposure circumstances -- and they are as follows:</P> <U>Agents and groups of agents</U></P> Aflatoxins, naturally occurring<BR>4-Aminobiphenyl<BR>Arsenic and arsenic compounds<BR>Asbestos<BR>Azathioprine<BR>Benzene<BR>Benzidine<BR>Beryllium and beryllium compounds<BR>N,N-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-2-naphthylamine (chlornaphazine)<BR>Bis(chloromethyl) ether and chloromethyl methyl ether<BR>1,4-Butanediol dimethanesulfonate (busulfan; Myleran)<BR>Cadmium and cadmium compounds<BR>Chlorambucil<BR>1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (methyl-CCNU; Semustine)<BR>Chromium [VI] compounds<BR>Cyclosporine<BR>Cyclophosphamide<BR>Diethylstilbestrol<BR>Erionite<BR>Ethylene oxide<BR>Melphalan<BR>Methoxypsoralen (methoxsalen) plus ultraviolet radiation<BR>MOPP and other combined chemotherapy including alkylating agents<BR>Mustard gas (sulfur mustard)<BR>2-Naphthylamine<BR>Nickel compounds<BR>Estrogen therapy, postmenopausal<BR>Radon and its decay products<BR>Silica, crystalline<BR>Solar radiation<BR>Talc-containing asbestiform fibers<BR>2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin<BR>Thiotepa<BR>Treosulfan<BR>Vinyl chloride</P> <U>Mixtures</U></P> Alcoholic beverages<BR>Analgesic mixtures containing phenacetin<BR>Betel quid with tobacco<BR>Coal-tar pitches<BR>Coal tars<BR>Mineral oils, untreated and mildly treated<BR>Salted fish (Chinese style)<BR>Shale oils<BR>Soots<BR>Tobacco products, smokeless<BR>Tobacco smoke<BR>Wood dust</P> <U>Exposure circumstances</U></P> Aluminum production<BR>Auramine manufacturing<BR>Boot and shoe manufacture and repair<BR>Coal gasification<BR>Coke production<BR>Furniture and cabinet making<BR>Hematite mining (underground) with exposure to radon<BR>Iron and steel founding<BR>Isopropanol manufacturing (strong-acid process)<BR>Magenta manufacturing<BR>Painting (occupational exposure)<BR>Rubber industry<BR>Strong-inorganic-acid mists containing sulfuric acid (occupational exposure)