Cancer-Causing Substances in the Environment;
Coal-Fired Power Plant;
Credit: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cancer arises from changes in specific genes that disrupt normal cellular functions. While some of these genetic alterations occur naturally during DNA replication in cell division, others result from environmental exposures that damage DNA. These exposures can include chemicals found in tobacco smoke and radiation, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Individuals can avoid certain cancer-causing exposures, like tobacco smoke and direct sunlight. However, other risks are more challenging to evade, especially those present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we consume, or the materials we handle in our jobs. Scientists are actively researching which environmental factors may lead to cancer development. By identifying harmful exposures and their sources, people can take steps to avoid them.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has listed the following chemical substances as known human carcinogens in its 15th Report on Carcinogens. It’s important to note that just because a substance is labeled as a carcinogen doesn’t guarantee that it will cause cancer. Various factors influence the likelihood of developing cancer after exposure, including the level and duration of exposure, as well as an individual’s genetic makeup. For more information, explore Environmental Carcinogens and Cancer Risk.
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