Carcinogenic chemicals carcinogens

Some chemicals are believed to have no threshold above which toxic effects are observed. In other words, a single molecule has the potential to induce an adverse effect. The most common group of hazards in this respect are genotoxic carcinogens. Chemical carcinogens are not normally approved as food additives because an acceptable daily intake cannot be established. 

Dipple, Anthony. Polynuclear Aromatic Carcinogens. "Chemical Carcinogens." Charles E. Searle, Ed. ACS Monograph 173 1976, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC. 

Outside of carbon monoxide for which the toxicity is already well-known, five types of organic chemical compounds capable of being emitted by vehicles will be the focus of our particular attention these are benzene, 1-3 butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, PNA, taken as a whole. Among the latter, two, like benzo [a] pyrene, are viewed as carcinogens. Benzene is considered here not as a motor fuel component emitted by evaporation, but because of its presence in exhaust gas (see Figure 5.25). 

M. Sittig, ed., Elandbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 2nd ed., Noyes Pubbcadons, Park Ridge, N.J., 1985. 

Acroleiu, iu lARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Some Monomers, Plastics and Synthetic Elastomers andMcrolein, Vol. 19, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France, 1979, pp. 479—494. 

THPOH—Ammonia—Tris Finish. By far the most effective finish for polyester—cotton textiles was a system based on the THPOH—NH treatment of the cotton component either foUowed or preceded by the appUcation of Tris finish to the polyester component. This combined treatment appeared to be effective on almost any polyester—cotton blend. A large amount of fabric treated in this way was sold throughout the United States and much of the rest of the world. Shortly after the introduction of Tris finishing, Tris was found to be a carcinogen. Most of the Tris treated production was in children s sleepwear, and this created a situation in which almost aU chemical fire-retardant-treated textiles were unfairly condemned as dangerous. Manufacturers mshed to replace chemically treated textiles with products produced from inherently flame-resistant fibers. Nowhere was the impact more severe than in the children s sleepwear market. New, safer materials have been introduced to replace Tris. Thus far none has been as completely effective. 

The identification of Tris as a potential carcinogen dealt a resounding blow to the flame-retardant finishing industry. From 1977 to 1984, several principal supphers of flame-retardant chemicals either reduced the size of their operations or abandoned the market completely. However, Albright and Wilson Corp. (UK) continues to produce THPC—urea precondensate and market it worldwide, and Westex Corp. (Chicago) continues to apply precondensate—NH finish to millions of yards of goods for various end uses. American Cyanamid reentered the market with a precondensate-type flame retardant based on THPS. 

A comprehensive search (295) of the STORET water quaUty database, maintained by the U.S. EPA Office of Water, is used to evaluate the potential water quaUty implications of various herbicides. This database contains information on contamination of surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) suppUes. The data are provided to give a general impression of the occurrence of a given herbicide in SW and GW (269). The U.S. EPA scheme for categorizing a chemical s carcinogenic potential is used for herbicides for which healthy advisory information (HA) is available. The U.S. EPA is continually issuing HAs for various environmental contaminants HAs available in Reference 269 were used in preparation of this article. 

Considerable concern has been raised over the carcinogenic potential of 2,4-D. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has evaluated the environmental health aspects of this chemical and concluded that 2,4-D posed an insignificant threat to the environment. They did indicate, however, that... 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Eist of Chemicals Evaluatedfor Carcinogenic Potential, internal memorandum, EPA, Washington, D.C., Feb. 1992. 

Other fibrous and porous materials used for sound-absorbing treatments include wood, cellulose, and metal fibers foamed gypsum or Pordand cement combined with other materials and sintered metals. Wood fibers can be combined with binders and dame-retardent chemicals. Metal fibers and sintered metals can be manufactured with finely controlled physical properties. They usually are made for appHcations involving severe chemical or physical environments, although some sintered metal materials have found their way into architectural appHcations. Prior to concerns regarding its carcinogenic properties, asbestos fiber had been used extensively in spray-on acoustical treatments. 

In additional EPA studies, subchronic inhalation was evaluated ia the rat for 4 and 13 weeks, respectively, and no adverse effects other than nasal irritation were noted. In the above-mentioned NTP chronic toxicity study ia mice, no chronic toxic effects other than those resulting from bronchial irritation were noted. There was no treatment-related increase ia tumors ia male mice, but female mice had a slight increase in bronchial tumors. Neither species had an increase in cancer. Naphthalene showed no biological activity in other chemical carcinogen tests, indicating Htde cancer risk (44). No incidents of chronic effects have been reported as a result of industrial exposure to naphthalene (28,41). 

Curing the treated fibers with ammonia chemically attaches the compound to the cloth. The corresponding sulfate has replaced much of the hydroxide because under certain conditions of manufacture or use the carcinogen bis(chloromethyl) ether may form. 

It is very difficult to treat MDA as a single entity because the manufacturing processes of PMDA and MDA are essentially identical, with the exception of a separation step. This article focuses on the technology of 4,4 -MDA, and it also includes properties of isomers and oligomeric mixtures when they are of commercial importance. The 4,4 -MDA is a suspected human carcinogen, and therefore special handling of this material is required. AH of the MDA and PMDA produced is consumed in industries that are "destmctive" of MDA s chemical identity. Thus MDA loses its unique chemical identity and is not encountered by household consumers. 

The food additive and GRAS rules appHcable to human foods generally apply to animal food ingredients. However, the Delaney clause s prohibition against carcinogenic substances in food additives was amended to permit carcinogenic chemicals to be fed to animals if the animals are not adversely affected and no residue can be found after slaughter. 

Care must be exercised in using sodium nitrite near other chemicals. It is incompatible with ammonium salts, thiocyanates, thiosulfates, and strong reducing agents. In acid solutions, sodium nitrite evolves toxic NO in the presence of secondary amines it can form nitrosamines which are suspected carcinogens. 

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