IARC SCIENTISTS REASSESS CARCINOGENICITY OF ASBESTOS, BERYLLIUM, NICKEL SILICA DUSTS AND OTHERS

摘要

At a recent meeting organised by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 27 scientists from eight countries reassessed the carcinogenicity status and modes of action of several chemicals. Their conclusions are summarised in the journal The Lancet Oncology in advance of publication of formal IARC monographs. Beryllium and its compounds, cadmium and its compounds, chromium (VI) compounds and nickel compounds were all reaffirmed as carcinogenic to humans. The scientists noted that there was now sufficient evidence to confirm that asbestos not only causes lung cancer and mesothelioma but also cancer of the larynx and ovary. Reassessing different types of asbestos, they concluded that "all types of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans" and that mineral substances such as talc or vermiculite that sometimes contain asbestos should also be considered carcinogenic.