Environmental factors and cancer Lecture 4

Question 1

What is the risk assessment for carcinogens?

Answer 1

Definate carcinogens

Probable carcinogens

Possible carcinogens -potency -type of exposure -dose response

Question 2

Describe the agents of outdoor pollution

Answer 2

Particulate matter

Nitrogen dioxide

Sulphur dioxide

Ozone gas

Carbon monoxide

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Question 3

What is the significance of asbestos and smoking

Answer 3

Almost exclusively causes pleural mesothelioma. Fibrous slicate, Causes damage when inhaled

Smoking (nicotine addiction -> more carcinogens -> DNA adducts -> activated PKC/AP1 -> increased carcinogenicity)

Question 4

List some water contaminants

Answer 4

Arsenic- bladder, skin, lung

Nitrates- stomach, non-hodgkin lymphoma

Radium- leukaemia

Chlorination by products- bladder

Question 5

List groups of people with risk of cancer from radioactive sources

Answer 5

Japanese atomic bomb survivors

Underground minors

Radiologists

Luminous dial painters

Generally public- from solar radiation