A first-of-its kind project involving 174 scientists from 28 countries found that some common things we interact with daily could potentially interact to cause cancer. (Photo: Getty Images)

You’ve heard about the potential dangers of exposure to certain chemicals like BPA and triclosan, and you probably go out of your way to avoid them when you can.



But now, a first-of-its-kind review published in the journal Carcinogensis from scientists around the world has found that there are more potentially carcinogenic chemicals that should be on your radar.

A large team of 174 scientists from 28 countries analyzed published, peer-reviewed papers and determined that average daily exposure to some chemicals in products you come into contact with daily might increase your risk of developing cancer.

The chemicals aren’t bad on their own, per se, but scientists discovered that they may interact with other chemicals that are unavoidable in our environment to produce a reaction that can increase your cancer risk.

“The results are not conclusive but suggest that additional basic science research is extremely important to fully understand how common chemicals, to which we are exposed at very low doses, can have a cumulative effect on cellular and molecular processes that may ultimately increase risk of some types of cancer,” study co-author Rita Nahta, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmacology at the Emory University School of Medicine tells Yahoo Health.

In their research, the scientists came up with a list of chemicals that are not considered to cause cancer in humans and reviewed their effects against a list of mechanisms that are important for the development of cancer. They then found that 37 of those chemicals work in a way that can cause cancer at everyday levels of exposure with other chemicals in our environment.

Related: Chemicals In Cell Phones, Pizza Boxes, Backpacks Said To Be Health Threat

“These are in food products, food packaging, pesticides, herbicides (which may end up in meats), household cleaners…they’re everywhere,” Leroy Lowe, president of the Canadian non-profit Getting To Know Cancer, which organized this task force of scientists, tells Yahoo Health. “If these particular chemicals that you’re exposed to end up in your blood, that’s a concerning problem.”

Story continues

While the scientists stress that it’s too early to draw conclusions, they did flag these chemicals in particular as ones that need additional research to determine whether they actually are safe for us at the very low levels we’re currently exposed to:

Acetaminophen

This anti-inflammatory is commonly found in over-the-counter medications. A 2011 study found that chronic users of this painkiller are at a slightly increased risk of blood cancers.

Acrolein

We’re exposed to acrolein by inhaling smoke or car exhaust. It’s also formed when animal or vegetable fats and oils are heated at high temperatures.

Alloy particles (tungsten/nickel/ cobalt)

These are used in a range of products, from jewelry to ceramic glazes.

Atrazine

This is an herbicide that’s found in many foods and food products.

BPA

BPA is commonly found in plastic bottles and can liners, but many companies are moving away from its use.

Butyltins (such as tributyltin)

These chemicals can be found in some disinfectants.

Cadmium

Cadmium is often used in the production of batteries.

Carbon nanotubes

These form a part of the materials in some products like baseball bats, golf clubs, and car parts.

Chlorpyrifos

Many foods and food products contain traces of this insecticide.

Related: Why Ramen Noodles Could Cut Your Life Short



Copper

Copper has many uses but its compounds can show up in fungicides and wood preservatives.

Cotinine

Cotinine is found in tobacco and tobacco products, but we may also be exposed to it from second-hand smoke.

Cypermethrin

Several foods contain traces of this insecticide.

DDT

DDT has been banned in the U.S. in the 1970s, but some traces of the chemical can be found in our soil.

Diazinon

This insecticide is used on many fruit, nut, and vegetable crops.

Dibutyl phthalate

This chemical commonly shows up in adhesives and printing inks.

Dichlorvos

Dichlorvos is often used as a household insecticide, but has shown up in some of our water.

Diethylstilbestrol

Once used a growth hormone for meat, this is now used to treat incontinence in some animals.

Folpet

This fungicide may be used on various plants.

Hexacholorobenzene

This is found in a number of pesticides and may end up in food products.

HPTE

This common pesticide has been linked with reduced male fertility.

Imazalil

This chemical is a fungicide that is commonly used on citrus fruits.

Iron

Iron shows up in a range of products, including many building materials.

Lead

Lead can be found in building construction materials, some batteries, and weights, among other things.

Maneb

This chemical can be found in some fungicides.

MeHg

MeHg can get into our environment when waste is burned and then end up in waterways. It can eventually show up in the fish we eat.

Methoxyclor

This pesticide is used on field crops and can show up in our fruits and vegetables.

Sodium selenite

This is commonly used to make colorless glass.

Nickel and nickel-derived compounds

These commonly show up in coins, stainless steel products, and rechargeable batteries.

Nitric oxide

This is a byproduct of combustion in car engines, but can also be used to treat heart problems.

PBDEs

PBDEs are flame retardants used in many plastics and foams. They’re also commonly found in indoor dust.

PFOS

This slippery is often used to treated carpets in homes.

Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital is often used as an anti-seizure medication.

Phthalates

These are widely used as plasticizers in consumer products such as building materials, toys, food packaging, cosmetics, and medical devices, but contaminated food is considered to be our biggest source of exposure.

Prochloraz

This chemical can show up in some fungicides.

Rotenone

This chemical is used as an insecticide and pesticide.

Trenbolone acetate

This steroid is used to promote weight gain in beef cattle and can find its way into the beef we eat.

Triclosan

This controversial antibacterial and antifungal agent is found in some of our soaps and detergents.

Before you panic, keep this in mind: Scientists stress that more research is needed before they can definitively say whether these chemicals cause cancer in the ways that we’re currently exposed to them.

But, Lowe says, it’s probably not a bad idea to avoid them whenever possible: “I don’t want to say that these chemicals are unsafe, but I would say that people should be careful about the kinds of products they use.”

Adds Nahta: “It is far too preliminary to draw conclusions but definitely supports the need for increased attention from the scientific community and increased research on this important topic.”

Read This Next: Can Makeup And Cleaning Products Really Mess With Your Hormones?



Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Health onFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Have a personal health story to share? We want to hear it. Tell us at YHTrueStories@yahoo.com.

