HHS' 14th Report on Carcinogens contains seven new substances listed as known or likely human carcinogens, bringing the total number of cancer-causing substances identified by the agency to 248.
Here is a breakdown of the newly added substances.
• Five viruses: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus are five viruses known to cause human cancer.
• One chemical: Trichloroethylene is an industrial solvent used primarily to make hydrofluorocarbon chemicals and is known to cause human cancer.
• One metallic element: Cobalt is a naturally occurring element used to make metal alloys and other metal compounds, such as military and industrial equipment, and rechargeable batteries and is considered likely to cause human cancer.
"Given that approximately 12 percent of human cancers worldwide may be attributed to viruses, and there are no vaccines currently available for these five viruses, prevention strategies to reduce the infections that can lead to cancer are even more critical," said Linda Birnbaum, PhD, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. "The listings in this report, particularly the viruses, bring attention to the important role that prevention can play in reducing the world's cancer burden."
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