IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans

This publication represents the views and expert opinion of an IARC Working Group which met in Lyon, 15-22 February 2000.

Some Industrial Chemicals

World Health Organization

Report of an IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, which met in Lyon, 13-20 October 1987. Includes bibliography p. 261-321

Alcohol Drinking

International Agency for Research on Cancer

This volume of the IARC Monographs provides evaluations of the carcinogenicity of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyls. Polychlorinated biphenyls are a class of aromatic compounds comprising 209 congeners, each containing 1 to 10 chlorine atoms attached to a biphenyl nucleus. Technical products, which were manufactured to obtain a certain degree of chlorination, are mixtures of numerous congeners. These products were widely used as dielectric fluid in capacitors and transformers, and to a lesser extent in building materials. Although their production and use has been banned in most countries, these compounds are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, including in polar regions and the deep ocean, because they are persistent and bioaccumulate. Worldwide monitoring programs have shown that polychlorinated biphenyls are present in most samples of human milk. An IARC Monographs Working Group reviewed epidemiological evidence, animal bioassays, and mechanistic and other relevant data to reach conclusions as to the carcinogenic hazard to humans of polychlorinated biphenyls, of the subclass of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, and of polybrominated biphenyls.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Biphenyls

This volume of the IARC Monographs provides evaluations of the carcinogenicity of bitumens and their emissions, the N-heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benz[a]acridine, benz[c]acridine, dibenz[a,h]acridine, dibenz[a,j]acridine, dibenz[c,h]acridine, carbazole and 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole, as well as the S-hetrocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene and dibenzothiophene. Bitumens are produced by distillation of crude oil during petroleum refining, and also occur naturally. Bitumens can be divided into six broad classes, according to their physical properties and specifications required for different applications. The major use (about 80%) of bitumens is for road paving; other uses include roofing, waterproofing, sealing and painting. The term "bitumen" should not be confused with "asphalt", which refers to the mixture of bitumen (4-10% by weight), small stones, sand and filler used for road paving. Bitumens are complex mixtures that contain a large number of organic chemical compounds. Application of bitumens may generate emissions (fumes and vapours) that may contain, among volatile and non-volatile compounds, a number of known or probable carcinogens. An IARC Monographs Working Group reviewed epidemiological evidence, animal bioassays, and mechanistic and other relevant data to reach conclusions as to the carcinogenic hazard to humans of various occupations that entail exposure to bitumens and bitumen emissions, including road paving, roofing, and application of mastic asphalt, and to various heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic compounds.

Bitumens and Bitumen Emissions, and Some N- and S-heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

This publication represents the views and expert opinions of an IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, which met in Lyon, 19-26 June 2001.

Static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields

Non-ionizing Radiation

Evaluates the carcinogenic risks to humans posed by exposures in the dry cleaning industry by eight chlorinated solvents and related chemicals and by an additional group of seven industrial chemicals. Dry cleaning is evaluated in the first and most extensive monograph. Concerning exposures to specific chemicals, tetrachloroethylene is identified as the most commonly used solvent during the last two to three decades. The evaluation also considers exposure to the wide range of chemicals used in the treatment of spots. A review of epidemiological studies on dry cleaning indicates that the risks for cancers at two cites, urinary bladder and esophagus, may be increased by employment in dry cleaning. The monograph concludes that dry cleaning entails exposures that are possibly carcinogenic to humans. A second group of monographs evaluates selected chlorinated solvents and related chemicals used in dry cleaning, metal cleaning, and degreasing as chemical intermediates and in the production of insecticides and herbicides. Trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and 1 2 3-trichloropropane were classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. 1-Chloro-2-methylpropene was classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The remaining chemicals - chloral and chloral hydrate, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and 3-chloro-2-methylpropene - could not be classified. For the remaining seven chemicals used in a diversity of industrial applications, vinyl fluoride was classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. Furan, benzofuran, and vinyl acetate were classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Acrolein crotonaldehyde and furfural could not be classified.

Dry Cleaning, Some Chlorinated Solvents and Other Industrial Chemicals

This publication represents the views and expert opinions of an IARC Working Group which met in Lyon, 12-19 February 2002.

Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene

A working group of sixteen experts from seven countries re-evaluated the evidence of the carcinogenicity of betel-quid and areca-nut chewing and some areca-nut related nitrosamines. Betel-quid and areca-nut chewing are widely practised in many parts of Asia and in Asian-migrant communities elsewhere in the world. There are hundreds of millions of users worldwide. They evaluated betel quid with tobacco as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) on the basis of sufficient evidence of an increased risk of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx and oesophagus. The working group reviewed epidemiological studies of human cancer, mainly studies from India, Pakistan and Taiwan (China). Studies on betel quid with tobacco and areca nut with tobacco in experimental animals now also provide sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity. The working group also evaluated betel quid without tobacco as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), on the basis of sufficient evidence of an increased risk of oral cancer. Studies on betel quid without tobacco and areca nut without tobacco in experimental animals now also provide sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity. Areca nut, a common ingredient of betel quid and many different chewing preparations, including those available commercially, has been observed to cause oral submucous fibrosis

Betel-quid and Areca-nut Chewing and Some Areca-nut-derived Nitrosamines

Evaluates evidence for an increased risk of cancer in women using combined oral contraceptives, progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives, post-menopausal estrogen therapy, and post-menopausal estrogen-progestogen therapy. Although the carcinogenicity of these preparations has been extensively investigated, the book stresses the many complex methodological issues that must be considered when interpreting findings and weighing results. Evidence of an association between use of these preparations and positive effects on health, including a reduced risk of some cancers, is also critically assessed. The first and most extensive monograph evaluates evidence of an association between the use of combined oral contraceptives and cancer at nine sites. Concerning breast cancer, the evaluation concludes that, even if the association is causal, the excess risk for breast cancer associated with patterns of use that are typical today is very small. Studies of predominantly high-dose preparations found an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of hepatitis viruses. Citing these findings, the evaluation concludes that there is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of combined oral contraceptives. The evaluation also found sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of some, but not all, combined preparations in animals. Combined oral contraceptives were classified as carcinogenic to humans. The evaluation also cites conclusive evidence that these agents have a protective effect against cancers of the ovary and endometrium. Progestogen-only contraceptives are evaluated in the second monograph, which considers the association with cancer at six sites. The evaluation found no evidence of an increased risk for breast cancer. Although the evaluation found sufficient evidence in animals for the carcinogenicity of medroxyprogesterone acetate, evidence for the carcinogenicity of progestogen-only contraceptives in humans was judged inadequate. Progestogen-only contraceptives were classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The third monograph, on post-menopausal estrogen therapy, considers evidence of an association with cancer at eight sites. Findings from a large number of epidemiological studies indicate a small increase in the risk of breast cancer in women who have used these preparations for five years or more. Studies consistently show an association between use of post-menopausal estrogen therapy and an increased risk for endometrial cancer. Data on the association with other cancers were either inconclusive or suggested no effect on risk. The evaluation concludes that post-menopausal estrogen therapy is carcinogenic to humans. The final monograph evaluates the association between the use of post-menopausal estrogen-progestogen therapy and cancer at four sites. The evaluation of limited data on breast cancer found an increased relative risk observed with long-term use. Data were judged insufficient to assess the effects of past use and of different progestogen compounds, doses, and treatment schedules. For endometrial cancer, the evaluation found an increase in risk relative to non-users when the progestogen was added to the cycle for 10 days or fewer. Post-menopausal estrogen-progestogen therapy was classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Concerning post-menopausal therapy in general, the book notes that evidence of carcinogenic risks must be placed in perspective of potential benefits. The prevention of osteoporotic fractures is cited as the best-established benefit. Evidence also suggests that estrogen prevents heart disease and may prevent memory loss and dementia.

Hormonal Contraception and Post-menopausal Hormonal Therapy

Allyl isothiocyanate; ortho-Anisidine; Atrazine; Butyl benzyl phthalate; Chloroform; Chlorothalonil;Cyclamates;Dichlorobenzenes;Hexachlorobutadiene; Hexachloroethane; d-Limonene; Melamine; Methyl tert-butyl ether; Nitrilotriaceticacid andits salts;Paracetamol; ortho-Phenylphenol and its sodium salt; Potassium bromate ;Quercetin; Saccharin and its salts;Simazine

Some Chemicals that Cause Tumours of the Kidney Or Urinary Bladder in Rodents and Some Other Substances

IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans

The IARC Monographs series publishes authoritative independent assessments by international experts of the carcinogenic risks posed to humans by a variety of agents, mixtures and exposures. They are a resource of information for both researchers and national and international authorities. This volume is particularly significant because tobacco smoke not only causes more deaths from cancer than any other known agent; it also causes more deaths from vascular and respiratory diseases. This volume contains all the relevant information on both direct and passive smoking. It is organised by first looking at the nature of agent before collecting the evidence of cancer in humans. This is followed by carcinogenicity studies on animals and then any other data relevant to an evaluation.

Tobacco Smoke and Involuntary Smoking

This eighty-ninth volume of the IARC Monographs is the third and last of a series on tobacco-related agents. Volume 83 reported on the carcinogenicity of tobacco smoke and involuntary smoking (second-hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke) (IARC 2004a). Volume 85 summarized the evidence on the carcinogenic risk of chewing betel quid with and without tobacco (IARC 2004b). That volume explored the variety of products chewed in South Asia and other parts of the word that contain areca nut in combination with other ingredients, often including tobacco. In this eighty-ninth volume, the carcinogenic risks associated with the use of smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco and snuff, are considered in a first monograph. The second monograph reviews some tobacco-specific nitrosamines. These agents were evaluated earlier in Volume 37 of the Monographs (IARC 1985) and information gathered since that time has been summarized and evaluated.

Smokeless Tobacco and Some Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines

Evaluates the carcinogenic risk to humans posed by exposure to selected flame retardants and other chemicals used in the textile manufacturing industry. Agents were selected for evaluation on the basis of the availability of data on carcinogenicity and on human exposure. The book also includes an extensive monograph addressing the question of whether employment in the textile manufacturing industry exposes workers to carcinogenic risks. Monographs cover six flame retardants (chlorendic acid, chlorinated paraffins, decabromodiphenyl oxide, dimethyl hydrogen phosphite, tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium salts, and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate), five textile dyes (para-chloro-ortho-toluidine and its strong acid salts, Disperse Blue 1, Disperse Yellow 3, Vat Yellow 4, and 5-nitro-ortho-toluidine) and nitrilotriacetic acid and its salts. Para-chloro-ortho-toluidine and its strong acid salts were classified as probably carcinogenic to humans; and chlorendic acid chlorinated paraffins, Disperse Blue 1, and nitrilotriacetic acid and its salts were classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The remaining chemicals could not be classified. The most extensive monograph evaluates occupational exposures in the textile manufacturing industry. Evaluations of risk concentrate on epidemiological evidence of carcinogenicity at the oral and pharyngeal oesophagus and stomach, nasal cavity, larynx, lung, and bladder sites. In view of the strength of findings of bladder cancer among dyers and among weavers and of cancer of the nasal cavity among weavers and other textile workers, the monograph concludes that working in the textile manufacturing industry entails exposures that are possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Some Flame Retardants and Textile Chemicals, and Exposures in the Textile Manufacturing Industry

Oral contraceptives for family planning worldwide have revolutionized the reproductive lives of millions of women since their introduction in the 1960s. Later on, a variety of side-effects including cardiovascular diseases was recognized. In response to these concerns, new generations of combined oral contraceptives were developed that featured lower dose of estrogen and newer, more potent progestogens. The effectiveness and ease of use of combined hormonal contraceptives suggest that they will continue to be used to a significant extent in the future. This ninety-first volume of IARC Monograp.

IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans

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