Published by: Vivek Dubey
Carcinogens are substances that have the potential to cause cancer in humans and the IARC has four levels of classifications based on the strength of evidence.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four categories based on the strength of evidence for their carcinogenicity.
These categories are: "Carcinogenic to Humans", "Probably Carcinogenic to Humans", "Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans", and "Not Classifiable as to its Carcinogenicity to Humans”.
Here are some of the top agents that are carcinogenic to humans based on their classifications:
Alcoholic beverages can cause cancer in the oral cavity, salivary gland, oesophagus, colon, rectum, liver, and breast.
Outdoor air pollution and indoor emissions from household combustion of coal can cause lung cancer.
Tobacco smoking can cause cancer in the oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, rectum, liver, pancreas, lung, ovary, kidney, urinary bladder, among others.
Consumption of processed meat can cause cancer in the colon and rectum.
X and Gamma-Radiation can cause cancer in the salivary gland, bone, skin, breast, kidney, urinary bladder, thyroid, brain and central nervous system.
Wood dust can cause cancer in the pharynx, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus.
Opium consumption can cause cancer in the larynx, lung and urinary bladder.
Ultraviolet radiation exposure (e.g. welding) can cause cancer in the eye and skin.
Formaldehyde (used in building materials) can cause cancer in the pharynx and some types of leukaemia.
Night shift work can cause cancer in the breast, prostate, colon, and rectum.
Consumption of red meat can cause cancer in the colon, rectum, pancreas, and prostate.
Occupational exposures in petroleum refining can cause skin cancer and leukemia.
Occupational exposure as a hairdresser or barber can cause cancer in the urinary bladder.
Manufacturing of glass or pressed ware can cause cancer in the stomach
Carpentry can cause cancer in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus.
Traditional Asian pickled vegetables can cause cancer in the pharynx, esophagus, and stomach.
Occupational exposures in printing processes can cause cancer in the lung and urinary bladder.
Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields can cause cancer in the brain and central nervous system.
CATEGORY-4: This classification is used when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is inadequate and includes agents such as drinking coffee, chlorinated drinking water, highly-refined mineral oils and tea.