including hepatitis B and C viruses, carcinogens in grilled food, lead, mothballs, and three types of radiation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a new list of carcinogens on January 31st. Compared to the list from two years ago, this new list adds 17 new carcinogens, increasing the total number of carcinogens to 246. Among them, 58 are "known to be human carcinogens," and the other 188 are "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." Notably, the list for the first time classifies some viruses as "known or suspected" carcinogens, including the hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and a virus that can cause cervical cancer (human papillomavirus). Additionally, the list includes radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, and neutron rays, metal lead, and substances from high-temperature grilled food. Even common substances like mothballs have been included on the list.
Pursuant to U.S. law, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must publish the list of carcinogens every two years. This revision updates the December 2002 version. Unlike previous versions, U.S. authorities have decided to include several hepatitis viruses on the list, whereas previously only occupational and environmental substances that cause cancer were included.
This list was developed by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The official in charge, Dr. Portier, stated, "We believe the list should be expanded to include substances in our broad environment that can cause cancer." Dr. Michael Thun, who heads the American Cancer Society's department of epidemiologic research, said, "These viruses on the list are very important; they are human carcinogens and significant ones at that."
Dr. Portier explained that including X-rays on the list is meant to draw attention to this factor when deciding whether to undergo an X-ray. However, some radiology experts disagree with including radiation on the list. For example, Dr. Bergstrom, chairman of the board of the American College of Radiology, called it misleading because radiation is not a substance that poses a danger to people in normal daily life.