The recently updated 12th Report on Carcinogens, a public health document mandated by Congress, was released earlier this month by the Washingotn, D.C.-based U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The report lists 54 chemicals, metals, pesticides, drugs and other compounds that are known and 186 that are suspected of causing cancer.  Asbestos remains on the list, without a single one of its forms escaping scrutiny.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was widely used in construction and manufacturing throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  It was finally banned from most in the United States in 1989 for causing illnesses like lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the protective lining of the lungs, heart, chest and abdomen.   The only known cause of the latter is prolonged asbestos exposure.

Asbestos appeared as a known carcinogen on the 1st Report on Carcinogens in 1980, and studies have found that exposure to all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, amosite, anthophyllite and crocidolite, increases the risk of cancer.  Despite its danger, asbestos can still be found in many buildings, which may explain why approximately 3,000 Americans are still being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma each year.

New substances added to the 12th Report on Carcinogens include industrial chemical formaldehyde and the family of aristolochic acids and glass wool.  Ironically, both asbestos and glass wool have been used in the manufacture of insulation.  Fibers from both substances can be inhaled, ultimately lodging in the lungs and eventually causing the development of tumors.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.