A recent report published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives has found a wide range of breast cancer-causing chemicals in everyday products including cleaners, building materials, and even treated tap water.
The study, which attempts to discover biomarkers for use in breast cancer epidemiology, bio-monitoring and prevention, has uncovered 17 chemicals which cause breast cancer in rats and are predicted to do so in humans as well.
These cancer-causing chemicals come from a variety of sources and whilst some, such as cigarette smoke, come as no surprise, other common sources are much more concerning. According to the report, breast cancer-causing chemicals are hiding in everyday products including carpet cleaners, food packaging, degreasers and other seemingly benign items. Perhaps the most surprising, if not ironic finding, is that many breast implants actually contain breast cancer causing chemicals.
The primary chemicals of concern and their common exposure sources are listed below.
| Chemical | Exposure Source | EFS Alternatives & Treatments |
|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | Petrol, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, heating of some cooking oils | |
| Acrylamide | Cooked food, tobacco smoke, water treatment by-products, some consumer products | |
| Aromatic amines I: 2,4-toluene diamine (TDA) and toluene diisocyanates (TDI) | Uncured or newly finished polyurethane foam, spray-insulation, sealants and coatings, some breast implants | ActiveEco’s soon to be released industrial sealants do not contain aromatic amines suspected to be carcinogenic > |
| Aromatic amines II: benzidine and aniline dyes, combustion products and other sources | Hair and textile dyes; used in the production of paints, printing inks, in the food industry, in liquid crystal displays, and inkjet and laser printers | |
| Benzene | Petrol, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, solvents, parts washer fluid | Purasolve Safety Solvents replace a wide range of toxic solvents containing Benzene and its derivatives > |
| Halogenated organic solvents, e.g. methylene chloride | Dry cleaning, spot remover, glues, degreasers, paint strippers, aerosol propellants, contaminated drinking water from improper waste disposal; | Purasolve Safety Solvents are an effective alternative to industrial solvents containing halogenated organic solvents >
Triple7 degreasers are non-toxic and free from halogenated organic solvents > |
| Ethylene oxide; propylene oxide | Tobacco smoke, food and medical sterilization, vehicle exhaust, paint | |
| Flame retardants and degredation products:2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1, 3-propanediol, 2,3-dibromo-1propanol | Flame retardants primarily used in plastics and foams | |
| Heterocyclic amines | Grilled meat | |
| Hormones and endocrine disruptors; e.g. endogenous and exogenous estrogens and estrogen mimics | Pharmaceutical hormones, consumer products and commercial chemicals with hormonal activity | |
| MX | Water disinfection with Chlorine products | ActiveEco AquaSmart is an approved water treatment chemical that does not contain chlorine (which causes MX contamination) > |
| Nitro-PAHs, e.g. 1-nitropyrene | Diesel exhaust | |
| Ochratoxin A (OTA) | Mycotoxin in grains, nuts, pork; also present in mouldy environments | Triple7 Iodosan is a high performance microbiocide effective in sanitising mouldy environments >
|
| PAHs, e.g. benzo[a]pyrene | Vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, charred food | |
| PFOA, related compounds | Grease, water and stain-proof coatings, contaminated drinking water | |
| Pharmaceuticals (non-hormonal) | A number of over-the-counter, veterinary, and prescription medicines that induce mammary tumours | |
| Styrene | Building materials, surface cleaners and consumer products made from polystyrene, indoor air, cigarette smoke, polystyrene food packaging | Triple7 cleaners and degreasers are an effective alternative to metal surface cleaners (many of which contain styrene) > |
Source: New Exposure Biomarkers as Tools For Breast Cancer Epidemiology, Biomonitoring, and Prevention: A Systematic Approach Based on Animal Evidence. Environmental Health Perspectives 12 May 2014
Leave a Reply