CNN reports that the President’s Cancer Panel concluded that exposure to cancer risks is widespread and underestimated, especially for children. Many people are unaware of common cancer causing chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and radon.

According to the Panel’s report, 80,000 chemicals are used in the U.S but only about 200 of them have been tested for safety. The rest are unregulated. Bisphenol-A (BPA), for instance, is found in food can liners, plastic bottles (including baby bottles), food wraps, and other containers even though exposure to BPA has been linked to cancer and several other diseases. Children are especially vulnerable to such environmental toxins.

Formaldehyde is present in almost all homes. The tight seals that make our homes energy efficient trap pollutants indoors. Formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen, is used in plywood, furniture, carpet, and other home goods. Open doors and windows to air out your home periodically.

Benzene, a known carcinogen, comes from vehicle exhaust and industrial pollution. If you walk or jog outdoors, try to do so away from busy roads and in the early morning hours before the air is polluted.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. Radon is gas that seeps from some rock formations and can collect in homes. Invest in a radon detector for your home.

The report also makes the following recommendations to reduce cancer risk:

- Remove shoes before entering the home to avoid tracking in toxins like pesticides.

- Use a home water filter to remove toxins from tap water.

- Use stainless steel or glass bottles.

- Never microwave plastic containers. [Better yet: get rid of your microwave!]

- Eat organic meats and produce to minimize exposure to toxins like pesticides, genetically modified proteins, and antibiotics.

- Minimize consumption of charred and well-done meats [as well as processed deli meats].

- Minimize exposure to radiation from x-rays and other medical imaging technologies.

Note: While sunburns increase the risk of skin cancer, lack of healthy sun exposure lowers vitamin D levels and increases cancer risk. Have some fun in the sun this summer; it’s good for you!

Tags: cancer

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 6th, 2010 at 11:24 pm and is filed under Chemical Contamination, Environmental Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.