Environment

The environment you live in can significantly impact your health. Research indicates that certain elements of your environment are linked to alterations in cancer risk, but it does not imply that these environmental factors directly cause the change in risk. Here is a list of these environmental components.

Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi found on crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.

Arsenic

Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in air, water, and soil. It can also be released into the environment by certain agricultural and industrial processes, such as mining and metal smelting.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature. It is used primarily as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as a starting material and an intermediate in the synthesis of numerous chemicals, and in gasoline. Benzene is produced by both natural and man-made processes. It is a natural component of crude oil, which is the main source of benzene produced today. Other natural sources include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires.

Benzidine

Benzidine is a manufactured chemical that does not occur in nature. In the past, large amounts of benzidine were used to produce dyes for cloth, paper, and leather. It was also used in clinical laboratories for detecting blood, as a rubber-compounding agent, and in the manufacture of plastic films.

1,3-Butadiene

1,3-Butadiene is a colorless gas at room temperature with a gasoline-like odor. It is used to produce synthetic rubber products, such as tires, resins, and plastics, and other chemicals.