Factbox-Agents and substances categorized as carcinogenic to humans By Reuters

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© Reuters. Bottles of Diet Coke are displayed at a market in New York City, New York, US, June 28, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar

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(Reuters) — Aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in products from The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE) diet soft drinks to Mars Extra gum, is the latest substance declared a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC).

Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer in humans. According to the IARC, there are four different levels of classifications – carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic and unclassifiable.

The levels are based on the strength of the evidence, not the severity of the substance.

Here is a look at some of the most important human carcinogens based on their classifications:

Class 1: When the agent is seen as “carcinogenic to humans”

According to the IARC, this classification is used when there is sufficient evidence that the agent causes cancer in people. Usually, the evaluation is based on the results of an epidemiological study indicating that humans exposed to the substance develop cancer.

The main materials and agents in this category:

Top site substance / cancer agents

alcoholic beverages oral cavity and salivary glands

esophagus, colon, rectum, and liver

and tits

Lung outdoor air pollution

Internal emissions from the lung and skin

home combustion

coal

tobacco smoking oral cavity, esophagus and stomach,

rectum, liver, pancreas, lung,

ovaries, kidneys and urinary bladder,

Among other things

Processed colorectal consumption

Meat

salivary gland X- and gamma radiation, esophagus,

stomach, colon, lung, bone,

Skin, breast, kidney and urinary tract

Bladder, thyroid gland, and brain

The central nervous system

Wood dust pharynx and nasal cavity and

paranasal sinuses

Throat, lung and urinary bladder opiate consumption

Formaldehyde (used in pharyngitis, some types of leukemia

building materials such as

particle board, plywood,

and other compressed wood

products)

UV rays for eyes and skin

Exposure (such as welding)

Class 2: When the agent is seen to be “possibly carcinogenic to humans”

This classification is used when there is limited or insufficient evidence of “carcinogenicity in humans” and there is either more evidence to suggest that it causes cancer in animals, or strong evidence that it has similar properties to other human carcinogens.

The main materials and agents in this category:

Top site substance / cancer agents

Night work breast, prostate, and colon

right

Colorectal, pancreas and red meat consumption

prostate

Occupational exposure to skin and leukemia

Petroleum refining

Occupational exposure such as urinary bladder

Hairdresser or barber

Manufacture of stomach and lung glass

containers, art glass or

Compact tools

Class 3: When the agent is seen to be “possibly carcinogenic to humans”

This classification is generally used when there is limited evidence of “carcinogenicity in humans”, when there is sufficient evidence in animals, or when there is strong evidence showing that the agent exhibits the main characteristics of a human carcinogen.

The main materials and agents in this category:

Top site substance / cancer agents

Carpentry nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

lumen

A traditional Asian pickle for the pharynx, esophagus, and stomach

vegetables

Occupational exposure in the lung and bladder

printing operations

Occupational exposure in the esophagus and urinary bladder

Dry cleaning

Radiofrequency brain and central nervous system

system of electromagnetic fields

Class 4: When the agent is “not classifiable with respect to its potential for human carcinogenicity”

This classification is used when evidence of carcinogenicity is insufficient. According to IARC, this includes drinking coffee, personal use of hair coloring products, use of fluorescent lighting, chlorinated drinking water, highly refined mineral oils, tea, and printing inks.

Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization

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