CHEMICAL CARCINOGENSCHEMICAL CARCINOGENS

What is a carcinogen?What is a carcinogen?

Any substance that is capable of causing cancer.Any substance that is capable of causing cancer. Cancer is the abnormal or uncontrolled growth of new Cancer is the abnormal or uncontrolled growth of new

cells in any part of the body, characterized by cells that cells in any part of the body, characterized by cells that tend to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to new tend to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to new body sites.body sites.

Carcinogens are chronic toxins. They cause damage after Carcinogens are chronic toxins. They cause damage after repeated or long-duration exposure. They may have not repeated or long-duration exposure. They may have not immediate apparent harmful effects, with cancer immediate apparent harmful effects, with cancer developing only after a long latency period.developing only after a long latency period.

What are reproductive toxins?What are reproductive toxins?

Mutagens Mutagens cause damage to chromo-cause damage to chromo-somes by introducing somes by introducing changes to DNA.changes to DNA.

Mutagens have adverse Mutagens have adverse effects on fertility and effects on fertility and general reproductive general reproductive performance.performance.

Mutagens are chronic Mutagens are chronic toxinstoxins

Teratogens Teratogens act during pregnancy to act during pregnancy to cause adverse effects on cause adverse effects on the embryo or fetus the embryo or fetus including malformations, including malformations, retarded growth and post- retarded growth and post- natal deficiencies.natal deficiencies.

Reproductive toxins can Reproductive toxins can affect both men and affect both men and women.women.

What materials are carcinogens?What materials are carcinogens?

AsbestosAsbestos Certain chemicalsCertain chemicals Coal tars and coke oven emissionsCoal tars and coke oven emissions Hardwood sawdust (certain species)Hardwood sawdust (certain species) Ionizing radiationIonizing radiation Natural products (progesterone, safrole)Natural products (progesterone, safrole) Tobacco smokeTobacco smoke Ultraviolet radiationUltraviolet radiation

What is a chemical carcinogen?What is a chemical carcinogen?

Any discrete chemical compound which has Any discrete chemical compound which has been shown to cause cancer in human or animal been shown to cause cancer in human or animal studies.studies.

Hundreds of individual compounds have been Hundreds of individual compounds have been shown to induce cancers. Many thousands of shown to induce cancers. Many thousands of additional compounds are “suspect” additional compounds are “suspect” carcinogens.carcinogens.

Many are commonly used in laboratory Many are commonly used in laboratory operations, shops and art studios.operations, shops and art studios.

How is chemical carcinogenicity determined?How is chemical carcinogenicity determined?

Epidemiological studies determine the relationship Epidemiological studies determine the relationship between a cancer suspect chemical and a human between a cancer suspect chemical and a human population over a long period of time.population over a long period of time.

Animal studies directly induce cancer in test animals using Animal studies directly induce cancer in test animals using a large sample of animals, usually of two or more species a large sample of animals, usually of two or more species with varying dose and time parameters. with varying dose and time parameters.

Experiments with animals are based on the premise that Experiments with animals are based on the premise that chemicals that produce cancer in animals will have similar chemicals that produce cancer in animals will have similar effects on human cells. Most known human carcinogens effects on human cells. Most known human carcinogens produce cancer in experimental animals.produce cancer in experimental animals.

What is an OSHA “select” carcinogen?What is an OSHA “select” carcinogen?

Any substance that is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen.Any substance that is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen. It is listed under the category “know to be carcinogens” in It is listed under the category “know to be carcinogens” in

the Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the the Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).National Toxicology Program (NTP).

It is listed under Group 1 (“carcinogenic to humans”) by the It is listed under Group 1 (“carcinogenic to humans”) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

It is listed in either Group 2A (“limited evidence of It is listed in either Group 2A (“limited evidence of carcinogenicity” from human studies) or 2B (“sufficient carcinogenicity” from human studies) or 2B (“sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity” from animal studies) by IARC evidence of carcinogenicity” from animal studies) by IARC or under the category “reasonably anticipated to be or under the category “reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens by NTP. (A specified dose range is given.)carcinogens by NTP. (A specified dose range is given.)

Which classes of chemicals tend to be carcinogens?Which classes of chemicals tend to be carcinogens?

Epoxides:Epoxides:Ethylene oxideEthylene oxidePropylene oxidePropylene oxide

Organohalogen comp.:Organohalogen comp.:Vinyl chlorideVinyl chlorideCarbon tetrachlorideCarbon tetrachlorideChloroformChloroformHexachlorobenzeneHexachlorobenzeneTrichloroethyleneTrichloroethylene

Hydrazines:Hydrazines:Hydrazine (and salts)Hydrazine (and salts)1,2-Dimethylhydrazine1,2-Dimethylhydrazine

N-Nitroso compounds:N-Nitroso compounds:N-N-

NitrosodimethylamineNitrosodimethylamine Aromatic Amines:Aromatic Amines:

BenzidineBenzidineAnilineAnilineo-Anisidineo-Anisidineo-Toluidineo-Toluidine

Aromatic hydrocarbons:Aromatic hydrocarbons:BenzeneBenzeneBenz[a]anthraceneBenz[a]anthraceneBenzo[a]pyreneBenzo[a]pyrene

Classes of carcinogens (cont.)Classes of carcinogens (cont.)

Misc. organic compounds:Misc. organic compounds:FormaldehydeFormaldehydeAcetaldehydeAcetaldehyde

1,4-Dioxane1,4-Dioxane

Ethyl carbamateEthyl carbamate2-Nitropropane2-NitropropaneStyreneStyreneThioureaThioureaThioacetamideThioacetamide

Misc. inorganic comp.:Misc. inorganic comp.:Arsenic and Arsenic and

compoundscompounds Chromium Chromium and comp.and comp. Thorium Thorium dioxidedioxide Beryllium Beryllium and compoundsand compounds Cadmium and Cadmium and compoundscompounds Lead and Lead and compoundscompounds Nickel and Nickel and compoundscompounds Selenium Selenium sulfidesulfide

How do carcinogens enter the body?How do carcinogens enter the body?

Skin absorption. Many solvents and other Skin absorption. Many solvents and other chemicals go directly through the skin.chemicals go directly through the skin.

Ingestion. Swallowing of a carcinogen.Ingestion. Swallowing of a carcinogen. Inhalation. Breathing gases, fumes and Inhalation. Breathing gases, fumes and

vapors is the most common form of vapors is the most common form of exposure.exposure.

What organs to carcinogens attack?What organs to carcinogens attack?

LungsLungs LiverLiver KidneyKidney Reproductive systemReproductive system SkinSkin Many other organs and tissuesMany other organs and tissues

What factors influence the development of cancer?What factors influence the development of cancer?

Dose--amount and length of exposure. The lower the Dose--amount and length of exposure. The lower the dose the least likely you are to develop cancer or dose the least likely you are to develop cancer or related diseases.related diseases.

Environmental or “lifestyle” factors.Environmental or “lifestyle” factors. Cigarette smoking (co-carcinogen)Cigarette smoking (co-carcinogen) Alcohol consumption (co-carcinogen)Alcohol consumption (co-carcinogen) Diet--high fat consumption, natural antioxidantsDiet--high fat consumption, natural antioxidants Geographic location--industrial areas, UV lightGeographic location--industrial areas, UV light Therapeutic drugs--some are known carcinogensTherapeutic drugs--some are known carcinogens Inherited conditionsInherited conditions

How do I reduce my exposure to carcinogens?How do I reduce my exposure to carcinogens?

Engineering controls--exhaust ventilation and equipmentEngineering controls--exhaust ventilation and equipment Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment Personal hygienePersonal hygiene Labeling and storage of containersLabeling and storage of containers Housekeeping and maintenanceHousekeeping and maintenance Regulated areasRegulated areas Decontamination and emergency proceduresDecontamination and emergency procedures MonitoringMonitoring Administrative controlsAdministrative controls

Engineering controls--exhaust ventilation and equipmentEngineering controls--exhaust ventilation and equipment

General room ventilation--10 or more changes of air per hour. General room ventilation--10 or more changes of air per hour. Designed to reduce exposures below the permissible exposure Designed to reduce exposures below the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Many carcinogens have a very low exposure limit (PEL). Many carcinogens have a very low exposure limit. Use an “ALARA” policy.limit. Use an “ALARA” policy.

Fume hoods--full open face velocity of 8o to 100 l.f.p.m.. Fume hoods--full open face velocity of 8o to 100 l.f.p.m.. combined with a dry ice capture test.combined with a dry ice capture test.

Local ventilation--exhaust (sometimes supply) at the point of Local ventilation--exhaust (sometimes supply) at the point of use of a chemical. “Elephant trunk” or slot hood.use of a chemical. “Elephant trunk” or slot hood.

Carcinogen glove box or environmental chamber.Carcinogen glove box or environmental chamber. Biosafety cabinet--used for anticancer drugs, viruses.Biosafety cabinet--used for anticancer drugs, viruses. No benchtop work in a laboratory setting.No benchtop work in a laboratory setting.

Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment

Respiratory protection--dust masks, respirators. Respiratory protection--dust masks, respirators. Respirators are primarily for use in non-lab areas, except Respirators are primarily for use in non-lab areas, except for emergency response (spill cleanup)--shops, floor for emergency response (spill cleanup)--shops, floor stripping, construction operations (painting).stripping, construction operations (painting).

Eye protection--safety glasses, splash goggles, face Eye protection--safety glasses, splash goggles, face shields.shields.

Hand protection--gloves, protective sleeves.Hand protection--gloves, protective sleeves. Protective clothing--lab coats, aprons, Tyvek garments.Protective clothing--lab coats, aprons, Tyvek garments. OSHA standards for personal protective equipment OSHA standards for personal protective equipment

supersede other OSHA standards.supersede other OSHA standards.

Personal hygienePersonal hygiene

No smoking, eating, drinking or application of cosmetics is No smoking, eating, drinking or application of cosmetics is permitted in areas where carcinogens are in use (or in any permitted in areas where carcinogens are in use (or in any lab area!). No mouth pipetting!lab area!). No mouth pipetting!

Wash hands and any exposed skin if potentially Wash hands and any exposed skin if potentially contaminated--face, neck, forearms, etc.contaminated--face, neck, forearms, etc.

No shorts or open toed shoes.No shorts or open toed shoes. Remove lab coat or other potentially contaminated Remove lab coat or other potentially contaminated

protective clothing before leaving the work area. Lab coats protective clothing before leaving the work area. Lab coats need to be cleaned regularly; special washing instructions need to be cleaned regularly; special washing instructions may be needed. Contaminated disposable clothing should may be needed. Contaminated disposable clothing should be treated as hazardous wastebe treated as hazardous waste

Labeling of containersLabeling of containers

All containers of chemical carcinogens need to have a All containers of chemical carcinogens need to have a warning label affixed to them. A Right-to-Know (RTK) warning label affixed to them. A Right-to-Know (RTK) style label must be on any container of material that is style label must be on any container of material that is repackaged or made into a solution more than 0.1%.repackaged or made into a solution more than 0.1%.

All areas where carcinogens may be used, present or stored All areas where carcinogens may be used, present or stored should have prominently displayed warning signs or labels should have prominently displayed warning signs or labels both in the areas and access to them.. Some warning signs both in the areas and access to them.. Some warning signs and labels are described by specific standards.and labels are described by specific standards.

““DANGER--Contains ___________DANGER--Contains ___________ CANCER HAZARD” CANCER HAZARD”

Storage of containersStorage of containers

Carcinogens must be stored separately from other Carcinogens must be stored separately from other materials. materials.

Separated by shelving system or secondary containment.Separated by shelving system or secondary containment. Secondary containment means placing chemical containers Secondary containment means placing chemical containers

in an outer container to prevent the release of a chemical in in an outer container to prevent the release of a chemical in the event that its container breaks or ruptures.the event that its container breaks or ruptures.

Desiccators, plastic boxes, bottle-in-can are acceptable Desiccators, plastic boxes, bottle-in-can are acceptable secondary containment.secondary containment.

Storage areas must be labeled “Danger--Carcinogens Storage areas must be labeled “Danger--Carcinogens Stored Here.”Stored Here.”

Housekeeping and maintenanceHousekeeping and maintenance

Keep all work surfaces and equipment clean.Keep all work surfaces and equipment clean. Dry sweeping or compressed air cleaning of floors or work Dry sweeping or compressed air cleaning of floors or work

surfaces is prohibited.surfaces is prohibited. Dry cleaning of surfaces and equipment must be done by Dry cleaning of surfaces and equipment must be done by

vacuum systems with high-efficiency filters.vacuum systems with high-efficiency filters. All contaminated floor sweepings, debris (paper towels, All contaminated floor sweepings, debris (paper towels,

Kimwipes, plasticware), discarded filters from respirators Kimwipes, plasticware), discarded filters from respirators or vacuums must be bagged, properly labeled and sent out or vacuums must be bagged, properly labeled and sent out for incineration.for incineration.

Regulated areasRegulated areas

Establish regulated or designated areas for the use of Establish regulated or designated areas for the use of carcinogens. (Required in Lab Standard.)carcinogens. (Required in Lab Standard.)

Locations where entry and exit or use of an area is Locations where entry and exit or use of an area is restricted to the use of carcinogens. restricted to the use of carcinogens.

Only authorized persons trained in the use of the Only authorized persons trained in the use of the carcinogens present may use these areas when such carcinogens present may use these areas when such materials are in use.materials are in use.

Regulated areas are usually under negative pressure (fume Regulated areas are usually under negative pressure (fume hood) to contain carcinogens in the hood or room.hood) to contain carcinogens in the hood or room.

Decontamination and emergency proceduresDecontamination and emergency procedures

Safety shower and eyewash station nearby.Safety shower and eyewash station nearby. Special solutions or solvents on hand if required for Special solutions or solvents on hand if required for

decontamination of skin, eyes.decontamination of skin, eyes. Spill mixtures and cleanup materials for spills on hand.Spill mixtures and cleanup materials for spills on hand. All used spill cleanup materials must be treated as hazardous All used spill cleanup materials must be treated as hazardous

waste. waste. Respirator may be needed for spill cleanup.Respirator may be needed for spill cleanup. Any “incidental” spill may be cleaned up by the lab staff; larger Any “incidental” spill may be cleaned up by the lab staff; larger

spills may require a emergency response (5-1111).spills may require a emergency response (5-1111). Fire extinguisher at hand as required. Training needed.Fire extinguisher at hand as required. Training needed. Written emergency response plan. Training required.Written emergency response plan. Training required.

MonitoringMonitoring

If there is reason to believe that a PEL may be exceeded then If there is reason to believe that a PEL may be exceeded then personal exposure monitoring is required. This may be done by personal exposure monitoring is required. This may be done by EH&S staff. Personnel monitoring with sample pumps or badges.EH&S staff. Personnel monitoring with sample pumps or badges.

Area monitoring may be required in some cases.Area monitoring may be required in some cases. Medical monitoring may be required if it is anticipated that PELs Medical monitoring may be required if it is anticipated that PELs

may be exceeded. Examination by a physician, blood tests, etc. may be exceeded. Examination by a physician, blood tests, etc. Required Required whenever there is a spill or other emergency. whenever there is a spill or other emergency.

Results of monitoring must be supplied to the employee.Results of monitoring must be supplied to the employee. Records of exposures,. monitoring, and medical exams must be Records of exposures,. monitoring, and medical exams must be

kept for 30 years.kept for 30 years.

Administrative controlsAdministrative controls

Material Safety Data Sheets and other information.Material Safety Data Sheets and other information. Training--all employees using carcinogens must be trained in Training--all employees using carcinogens must be trained in

the recognition of the physical and health hazards associated the recognition of the physical and health hazards associated with the carcinogens they are working with, methods to with the carcinogens they are working with, methods to detect the presence or release of a carcinogen and ways to detect the presence or release of a carcinogen and ways to protect themselves from exposure to the carcinogens with protect themselves from exposure to the carcinogens with which they are working.which they are working.

Specialized training may be required for specific Specialized training may be required for specific carcinogens.carcinogens.

Written exposure control plans, if required.Written exposure control plans, if required. Limitations on the duration of exposure.Limitations on the duration of exposure.

How do I dispose of waste carcinogens?How do I dispose of waste carcinogens?

With very few exceptions (dilute formaldehyde solutions) With very few exceptions (dilute formaldehyde solutions) carcinogens may never be discharged to the sanitary sewer.carcinogens may never be discharged to the sanitary sewer.

Carcinogens may never be disposed of in the ordinary trash.Carcinogens may never be disposed of in the ordinary trash. Waste bottles must be properly labeled, tightly capped at all Waste bottles must be properly labeled, tightly capped at all

times (except when adding or removing waste) and they times (except when adding or removing waste) and they must have secondary containment. See section 7.9-11 of must have secondary containment. See section 7.9-11 of the CHP for waste bottle labeling instructions. Check the CHP for waste bottle labeling instructions. Check “Poison” on the waste label.“Poison” on the waste label.

Dry wastes must be incinerated or shipped out as regulated Dry wastes must be incinerated or shipped out as regulated medical waste (“chemotheraputic agents”).medical waste (“chemotheraputic agents”).

How do I reduce my inventory and level of waste generation?How do I reduce my inventory and level of waste generation?

Plan the use of carcinogens carefully. Do not make more Plan the use of carcinogens carefully. Do not make more stock solutions than are required.stock solutions than are required.

Substitute less hazardous materials for carcinogens Substitute less hazardous materials for carcinogens whenever possible; toluene instead of benzene.whenever possible; toluene instead of benzene.

Purchase carcinogens in the smallest possible quantities.Purchase carcinogens in the smallest possible quantities. Do not allow inventories to accumulate. Place no longer Do not allow inventories to accumulate. Place no longer

needed materials in a recycling program or dispose of as needed materials in a recycling program or dispose of as waste.waste.

Detoxify carcinogens as part of your research protocols. Detoxify carcinogens as part of your research protocols. Formaldehyde is easily detoxified by NHFormaldehyde is easily detoxified by NH44OH, for example.OH, for example.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) “relevant to safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) “relevant to safety and health considerations” need to be developed when and health considerations” need to be developed when carcinogens are in use. An SOP may be developed for an carcinogens are in use. An SOP may be developed for an individual carcinogen, a process or a class of chemicals.individual carcinogen, a process or a class of chemicals.

An SOP must contain the following: The name and An SOP must contain the following: The name and location of the chemical, purchasing and usage authoriza-location of the chemical, purchasing and usage authoriza-tion, training requirements, location of use, PPE required, tion, training requirements, location of use, PPE required, methods of waste disposal, decontamination, first aid methods of waste disposal, decontamination, first aid measures, spill control, emergency phone numbers and any measures, spill control, emergency phone numbers and any other relevant information.other relevant information.

Employees must be trained in the content of the SOP.Employees must be trained in the content of the SOP.

The EndThe End

““There are old researchers and there There are old researchers and there are bold researchers, but there are no are bold researchers, but there are no

old, bold researchers!”old, bold researchers!”

Anon.Anon.