Carcinogens versus Noncarcinogens

The classification as to whetlter a chemical agent is a carcinogen or a noncarcinogen can help identify whetlter it is a hcaltli Itazard. Both topics are briefly reviewed in this section More extensive information is provided in Cliaptcr 15. 

Noncarcinogenic effects include all toxicological responses e.xcept tumors. Toxicological responses and mechanisms var widely, and e.xamples of these include interference with normal cell processes by displacing elements out of the cell cUid binding with a cell to reduce membrane penneability. However. 

Uie majority of noncarcinogenic effects involve en2ymes. In tlie body, different enz mes perforin specific functions. Wlien an enzyme binds witli a toxic substance, the en2y me may be prohibited from performing its hmction properly, tltereby exhibiting a toxic response. 

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