WHAT CHEMICALS DO THE ECHA BELIEVE CAUSE CANCER? Some common things in our daily lives are known by most people to cause cancer – for instance, tobacco smoke and ultraviolet rays from the sun. Whether or not you will develop cancer will always depend on both dose and exposure – in other words, how much of the substance you are in contact with, how often and in what way. If the substance is not released into the environment, or if we are not exposed to it, it will not pose a risk to us. When there is evidence that a substance causes cancer, it will be classified as such. This results in limitations agreed at EU level on how they can be used. Examples of chemicals that are by The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) known to cause cancer: Asbestos: Asbestos is a term for a group of minerals made of microscopic fibres. Before its dangers were known, asbestos was often used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing and sprayed on ceilings and walls. It is now banned in the UK. Buildings constructed before the year 2000 may still have asbestos in them. Benzene: This substance may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways, may cause genetic defects, may cause cancer, causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure, is a highly flammable liquid and vapour, causes serious eye irritation and causes skin irritation. 1,4-dichlorobenzene: 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB) has been used for years in air fresheners and deodorisers in public toilets, homes and offices. We now know that it can cause liver cancer and it is therefore banned for those uses in the EU. The ban not only benefits consumers using air fresheners in their homes, but also the people working in places where air fresheners are used. Azodyes: Azodyes, which may release cancer-causing chemicals called aromatic amines. Since 2003, azodyes have been restricted in textile and leather articles that come into contact with the skin. More importantly,Titanium dioxide is a fine white powdered form of the metal element titanium. The chemical is not thought to occur naturally inside the human body. It is commonly used around the world because it is brilliant white and can be used to colour a huge range of objects. Everyday items which are likely to contain titanium dioxide as a colourant include toothpaste, suncream, makeup – in which it is used to brighten the skin, plastics, paper, wall paint, ink and white medicine pills. The US Food and Drug Administration says the chemical is safe to use, and that consumers' risk of exposure to high levels is low. Researchers say the chemical may enter the human bloodstream if it is inhaled or eaten. Source
