Carcinogenic

Betel nut (BN), the fruit from the palm Areca catechu, is the fourth most commonly used psychoactive drug worldwide. BN's harmful effects include an increased risk of oral and upper aerodigestive cancers. Current BN consumption, preparation, age of use and health attitudes among the Yapese population, which has a strong cultural tie to BN was assessed. Surveys were conducted by trained Public Health staff during the Fall 2014, using a standardized instrument. Of 700 Yapese randomly interviewed, 88.5% are current users with the majority (87.9%) aware of harmful effects of BN. Yapese are introduced to BN at a mean are of 13.9 + 5.8 years (range 2 to 50 years) and begin routine daily use at 17.8 + 6.1 years (range 2 to 53 years), with no significant gender difference. Culturally sensitive educational efforts need to be directed towards the young to reduce adverse health risks associated with BN chewing.

Ayurveda advocates Shodhana (Purificatory procedures) for poisonous substances to render it safe and effective for therapeutics. But mentioning of Shodhana for a non poisonous plant like Vacha is a matter of great curiosity with regards to the purpose of Shodhana. In this review an attempt has been made to analyse the concept and relevance of Vacha Shodhana in view of both classical and modern thoughts.

The purpose of this study was to investigate and quantify trace metal concentrations in Commelina africana L. and psammitic sandflats from an intertidal coastal ecosystem in Niger Delta, Nigeria, and to evaluate their spatial distribution, degree of contamination, and source apportionment. The environmental risks associated with soil contamination were elaborately assessed using potential ecological risk index, sediment quality guidelines, and enrichment relative to background levels. The mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sandflat soil samples are 0.76 ± 9.0 × 10 −2 , 7.39 ± 8.7 × 10 −1 , 2.28 ± 0.35, 0.024 ± 4.0 × 10 −3 , and 74.51 ± 2.55 mg/kg, respectively. Metal levels indicate strong variability with sampling sites. The order of trace metal concentrations in the Commelina africana L. samples is Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd. The concentrations varied with the sample locations; and the levels of Pb (0.05 to 0.08 mg/kg) at all locations are found to be significantly below permissible level of 0.3 mg/kg. Potential sources of metal loadings may be associated with localised or diffused anthropogenic activities. The average carcinogenic risks are below 1.0 × 10 −6 threshold values, and the sandflat soils are not considered to pose significant health effects to children and adult males and females. However, the carcinogenicity and noncarcinogenicity risks ranking decrease following the order children > adult males > adult females. Comparatively, the hazard quotient and hazard index indicate that the psammitic sandflats might pose a health risk to children in future.

Benzo[α]pyrene (BaP) is one of the most toxic
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soilplant
system causing potential carcinogenicity and
mutagenicity for human health. The knowledge on the
behavior of BaP in soil-plant system as well as aqueous
environment is needed for minimizing the risk of human
exposure and environmental contamination. BaP, high
molecular weight PAH with five benzene rings has been
specifically classified as a primary pollutant and group
1 human carcinogen. Bioremediation is an eco-friendly
and cost-effective method for reclaiming the
environment contaminated with BaP by making use of
the microorganisms and plants to eradicate the
hazardous effects.
The present review is focused on the microbe assisted
bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques for
the removal of BaP from the soil and aqueous
environment. The information provided here will help
to plan the research in a better way to develop more
sustainable system for remediation of BaP from the
environment.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been a long-time concern for workers, unions, occupational experts and residents of Ontario and other jurisdictions where the compound has been used. TCE can be absorbed by the body through inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption. Inhalation of TCE can cause headaches, dizziness and damage to facial nerves.  Contact with the skin can result in rashes.

Ingestion or inhalation can result in liver and kidney damage in animals, as well as developmental effects on mouse foetuses.
Human epidemiological studies and animal studies suggest that TCE may cause cancer.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies TCE as “probably carcinogenic to humans” based on “limited evidence” from human studies and “sufficient evidence” from animal studies.  Vinyl chloride, another breakdown product of TCE, is far more toxic than TCE. It is a colorless gas that burns easily and is unstable at high temperatures.

Residents of Ontario have repeatedly raised concerns about lax TCE standards and MOE enforcement.  For example, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario received applications regarding this contaminant as far back as 1995, when four applications requesting that the Ontario Drinking Water Objectives (1994) for TCE be tightened were filed under the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights.  In 2000, the ECO received another application from the residents of Beckwith Township, whose wells were contaminated by TCE.  In 2006, MOE finally decided to strengthen the TCE drinking water standards from 0.05 mg/L to 0.005 mg/L set under O. Reg. 169/03 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002.

In October 2011, soil vapour samples were collected from several locations in the vicinity of the former OMCC facility and down-gradient in the City of Peterborough.  Elevated TCE concentrations were reported.  Concentrations were high enough that when modeled, the predicted indoor air concentrations suggested a potential risk. At this time MOE initiated the development of an indoor air sampling program, in consultation with the local health unit, City of Peterborough and Ministry of Labour.  A second round of soil vapour sampling was undertaken in December 2011, and although the results were lower, continued to suggest a potential risk to indoor air.  In February 2012 notices were delivered to the occupants and homeowners in the targeted area requesting their participation in the program.  Interviews were conducted with homeowners/occupants beginning in March and continuing throughout the program.  Sampling began the last week of March 2012 and continued into the first week of May.  Homeowners/occupants were notified verbally (by telephone) of their indoor air results upon receipt by the local MOE office.  Written confirmation of results were mailed May 17, 2012. 
 
In June 2012 MOE's Standards Development Branch (SDB) began further analysis and interpretation. As a quick summary 26 homes were sampled, 3 homes reported indoor TCE concentrations exceeding the Ministry’s 0.5 µg/m3 target level, with the highest concentration being 2.58 µg/m3.  All three locations had visible pathways for vapour intrusion in the form of dirt floors or cut-outs in the basement’s concrete floor.  
 
Soil vapour sampling had previously been done, since 2001 by the Environmental Remediation Receiver (Dillon); however, in 2011 the MOE had requested modifications to their sampling program, including the installation of additional monitoring locations in the area north of Lansdowne Street.
 
This presentation reviews the legal background to the TCE plume in Peterborough, Ontario and provides an overview for residents.  It originally was prepared at the request of the MOE and the Peterborough City and County Health Unit (PCCHU).

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl bark aqueous extract for its antifungal potential against soybean seed-borne Aspergillus flavus. A. flavus is dominant storage fungus colonizing soybean seeds due to its high nutrient composition. They produce aflatoxins which are toxic, immunosuppressive carcinogenic in nature and also causes seed rots, post-emergence damping off and reduces seed viability. At 500 mg/mL it showed complete inhibition of A. flavus. Thus the results obtained in this study demonstrate that C. verum bark aqueous extract possess a fungicidal activity which can be an alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling soybean seed borne A. flavus.

NDMA: MEDICATION TIP OF A HUGE ICEBERG! By Gary Joseph Ordog, MD
JAMA; January 31, 2021.

Thank you for your article on another source of NDMA. Patients should limit their medication sources of NDMA, but also the numerous other sources that would add to their exposure to thist toxic chemical. I submit further information from the ATSDR of the CDC regarding the myriad of other sources of exposure, and probable confounding variables for any clinical study on NDMA.
"HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO N-NITROSODIMETHYLAMINE?
Information suggests that the general population may be exposed to NDMA
from a wide variety of sources, including environmental, consumer, and
occupational sources. At this time, NDMA has been found in at least 1 out
of 1177 hazardous waste sites on the National Priorities List (NPL) in the
United States. Under certain conditions, NDMA may be found in outdoor air,
surface waters (rivers and lakes, for example), and soil. The primary
sources of human exposure to NDMA are tobacco smoke, chewing tobacco, diet
[cured meats (particularly bacon), beer, fish, cheese, and other food
items], toiletry and cosmetic products (for example, shampoos and
cleansers), interior air of cars, and various other household goods, such as
detergents and pesticides. In addition, NDMA can form in the stomach during
digestion of alkylamine-containing foods. Alkylamines are naturally
occurring compounds which are found in some drugs and in a variety of foods.
Infants may be exposed to NDMA from the use of rubber baby bottle nipples
and pacifiers which may contain very small amounts of NDMA, from ingestion
of contaminated infant formulas, and from breast milk of some nursing
mothers. Very low levels of NDMA have been found in some samples of human
breast milk. Occupational exposure may happen in a large number of places
including industries such as tanneries, pesticide manufacturing plants,
rubber and tire manufacturing plants, alkylamine manufacture/use industries,
fish processing industries, foundries, and dye manufacturing plants.
Researchers making or handling NDMA may also be exposed to this compound if
It passes through the rubber gloves they wear during laboratory work. NDMA
has been found in groundwater samples, in amounts of 10 parts NDMA per
billion parts of water, at one or more hazardous waste sites on the
National Priorities List (NPL). No information is available about
contamination of soil, drinking water, irrigation water, sewers, storm
drains, or the human food chain with NDMA near NPL sites.
As subjects in any study group in this country are to be affected by the above confounding variables, there would need to be great control for these variables in any human study. Also, without taking the medications you studied, we are all exposed to NDMA in a multitude of ways. Again, thank you for your information. Gary Joseph Ordog, MD.

Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and finding a total cure or eradication of the disease has been the expectations of medical researchers and medical practitioners in the recent times. In this paper, invasion of normal cells by carcinogens is considered. The purpose of the research is to study the dynamic evolutions of cancer and immune cells with the view finding most effective strategic way to control or eradicate cancer growth in human beings. We proposed five growths and mitigate models for benign and malignant cancer which are coupled ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations and Numerical simulations are made for the models. Analytic and Numerical solutions and sensitivity analysis of the models to parameters are obtained. It is found that the benign and malignant cancer cells displayed out of control growth and hence unstable in nature and the immune cells depreciated to the point of immune collapse. By the use of energy function it is established that staving of cancer cells of oxygen or use of drugs are strategic ways of combating cancer disease. Moreover, if the cancer cells are starved of basic nutrients or some basic enzymes inhibited it is expected that similar effect can also be achieved. The starvation of cancer cells should focus on oxygen, nutrients and vital enzymes. However, it is hoped that drugs developers and bioengineers will come up with means to achieve the starvation strategies to combat cancer disease.

Several evidences indicated that diet and dietary behaviors can contribute to human cancer risk. One way is this occurs through the ingestion of food mutagens. Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are important class of food mutagens and carcinogens, which can be found in cooked meat, chicken and fish. The presence of these mutagens and their types is dependant on cooking method, heating temperatures and time of cooking. In this study, the effect of cooking method (frying, broiling and microwave-cooking as conventional and unconventional cooking methods) on formation of food mutagen(s) in Egyptian cooked chicken was studied using three short-term mutagenicity assays; yeast D7, somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila and rat bone marrow chromosomal aberrations assay. Mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are formed at low levels (ng/g) during heat processing of protein-rich food, therefore blue rayon was used as effective extraction and purification method. The results of mutagenicity bioassays indicated that all used cooking methods in this study were capable of forming food mutagen(s) and gave positive significant mutagenic effects in all tested assays. The cooked chicken extracts could be arranged according to their mutagenic potentiality as: fried chicken > microwave-cooked chicken > vertical gas broiled chicken.

Incineration of blood contaminated cotton showed the presence of 8-11 PAHs from the list of 16 priority pollutants with airflow rate of 1, 2, 3, and 4 L/min in laboratory scale quartz tube vertical incinerator at 700-1,000°C at an interval of 100°C. The minimum amount of total PAHs was found at 900°C with airflow rate of 4 L/min (647 μg/g) which was 1/3 rd the amount at 700°C with the same airflow rate. The amount of 2A PAHs were found to be lowest at 900°C with airflow rate of 4 L/min while lesser amount of 2B PAHs were observed at 900 and 1000°C at all airflow rates. However, the lower values of sum total of 2A and 2B PAHs were at 700-800oC with airflow rate of 1-4 L/min.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used as an inorganic UV-filter in cosmetic products; however, it has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. While numerous studies demonstrated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of nano-sized TiO2 in different cell lines, including human skin cells, studies investigating the effects of micro-TiO2 on human keratinocytes and melanocytes, in healthy and cancer cells, are scarce. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette subfamily B member 5 (ABCB5) is a plasma membrane protein known for its role in the tumorigenicity, progression, and recurrence of melanoma. Here, we investigated the effect of micro-TiO2 (average particle size ≤5 µm) on the metabolic activity, cytotoxicity and ABCB5 mRNA expression in metastatic melanoma cells. Metastatic melanoma cell line WM-266-4 was treated with different concentrations of micro-TiO2 for different incubation times to obtain dose- and time-dependent responses. Untreated WM-266-4 cells, cultured under the same conditions, were used as control. The cell metabolic activity was determined by MTT assay. Cytotoxicity of micro-TiO2 was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay. The ABCB5 mRNA expression in melanoma cells was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). After 120 hours of exposure to micro-TiO2 the metabolic activity of melanoma cells decreased, especially at the two highest micro-TiO2 concentrations. Comparably, the cytotoxicity of micro-TiO2 on melanoma cells increased after 48 and 120 hours of exposure, in a time-dependent manner. The ABCB5 mRNA expression in micro-TiO2-treated melanoma cells also decreased significantly after 24 and 48 hours, in a time-dependent manner. Overall, our results suggest inhibitory effects of micro-TiO2 on the metabolic activity and ABCB5 mRNA expression in metastatic melanoma cells, indicating its potential use as an anticancer agent.

Colon cancer is cancer that begins in the large intestine. It usually begins as small, non cancerous clumps that form inside the colon. It typically affects older adults and can occur at any age. The aim of this study is to investigate the histopathological changes of the colon of rats experimentally induced with cadmium chloride as well as the anticancer effect of the ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa. Thirty six healthy albino rats of both sexes were classified into six groups with each group comprising of five rats as follows ; group I: normal control rats, group 2: Cadmium Chloride induced rats, group 3: Aduracil-5 fluorouracil treated rats, Group 4: dimethyl sulfuroxide treated rats, groups 5 and 6 rats were treated with 875mg/kg and 437.5mg/kg of Curcuma ethanolic extracts respectively after initial induction of cancer with cadmium chloride. Comparative observation of the cadmium induced colon showed histopathological damage as evidenced by empty goblet cells, lacerated and suppressed mucosa, destruction of the surface epithelium, features which were lacking in the control and Curcuma longa treated colon. Curcuma treated colon exhibited marked improvement of the histomorphology whilst cadmium treated colon clearly showed tumor cells, cancer cells or invasive inflammatory cells. Adruracil-5fluorouracil{an established anti colon cancer drugs} treated colon showed mild improvement in the histomorphology of the colon while the dimethyl sulfuroxide treated colon revealed an insignificant impact. The ameliorative effect on rat colon occasioned by administration of Curcuma ethanolic extract suggests that the plant product may have therapeutic activity against colon inflammation in albino rats.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are toxic or or carcinogenic , as well as creating photochemical fumes in the presence of sunlight, damaging the environment. In this study, the damages of VOCs to the environment and human health are discussed first. In addition, the definition and classification of the VOC of important international bodies are given in detail and the VOCs that are considered the most harmful and subject to legislative purposes in the context of this definition and classification are examined. Then, the harmful and abundant of VOC species emitted by the power plants and internal combustion engines, which are the main subject of the study, were examined and the parameters affecting the emission of these emitted gases are discussed under separate titles. The parameters affecting the VOCs release in the combustion event vary depending on the fuel and combustion system. By determining the effects of these parameters on VOCs emission, necessary conditions were determine...

"Background: Vegetables are the main source of nutrients for the human being but the intake of contaminated vegetables causes several diseases. Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine heavy metals concentration in leafy, fruit and root vegetables and their growing soil in Mongla, Bangladesh; and to estimate the health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) caused by heavy metal exposure through ingestion of vegetable using hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TCR).
Methods: United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) deterministic approaches were used to assess the potential health risks to the human.
Results: The average concentration of Fe, Cd, and Pb was 489.47, 0.48 and 8.15 mg/kg respectively, which was above the permissible limit recommended by WHO/FAO. Furthermore, THQ values for these metals and combined impacts of all metals (HI) were greater than the acceptable limit (1.0) which indicated a potential non-carcinogenic health risk. TCR values of Cd and Pb were greater than USEPA risk limit (>10 -6); which exerts moderate to high carcinogenic risk to the human.
Conclusion: The total health risk index showed that the consumption of vegetables from this study area poses a health risk and therefore regular monitoring of heavy metals is strongly recommended. "

Objectives This study provides a detailed analysis
of the global and regional burden of cancer due to
occupational carcinogens from the Global Burden of
Disease 2016 study.
Methods The burden of cancer due to 14 International
Agency for Research on Cancer Group 1 occupational
carcinogens was estimated using the population
attributable fraction, based on past population exposure
prevalence and relative risks from the literature. The
results were used to calculate attributable deaths and
disability-adjusted
life years (DALYs).
Results There were an estimated 349 000 (95%
Uncertainty Interval 269 000 to 427 000) deaths and 7.2
(5.8 to 8.6) million DALYs in 2016 due to exposure to
the included occupational carcinogens—3.9% (3.2% to
4.6%) of all cancer deaths and 3.4% (2.7% to 4.0%)
of all cancer DALYs; 79% of deaths were of males and
88% were of people aged 55 –79 years. Lung cancer
accounted for 86% of the deaths, mesothelioma for
7.9% and laryngeal cancer for 2.1%. Asbestos was
responsible for the largest number of deaths due to
occupational carcinogens (63%); other important risk
factors were secondhand smoke (14%), silica (14%) and
diesel engine exhaust (5%). The highest mortality rates
were in high-income
regions, largely due to asbestos-related
cancers, whereas in other regions cancer deaths
from secondhand smoke, silica and diesel engine exhaust
were more prominent. From 1990 to 2016, there was
a decrease in the rate for deaths (−10%) and DALYs
(−15%) due to exposure to occupational carcinogens.
Conclusions Work-related
carcinogens are responsible
for considerable disease burden worldwide. The results
provide guidance for prevention and control initiatives.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is currently the most commonly studied mycotoxin due to its great toxicity, its distribution in a wide variety of foods such as grains and cereals and its involvement in the development of + (HCC). HCC is one of the main types of liver cancer, and has become a serious public health problem, due to its high incidence mainly in Southeast Asia and Africa. Studies show that AFB1 acts in synergy with other risk factors such as hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) leading to the development of HCC through genetic and epigenetic modifications. The genetic modifications begin in the liver through the biomorphic AFB1, the AFB1-exo-8.9-Epoxy active, which interacts with DNA to form adducts of AFB1-DNA. These adducts induce mutation in codon 249, mediated by a transversion of G to T in the p53 tumor suppressor gene, causing HCC. Thus, this review provides an overview of the evidence for AFB1-induced epigenetic alterations and the potential mechanisms involved in the development of HCC, focusing on a critical analysis of the importance of severe legislation in the detection of aflatoxins.