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List 8 items of carcinogen and explain what they are used for and why they are cancer causing.
1. Aflatoxins--- growing on stored grains, nuts and peanut butter, is an example of a potent, naturally-occurring microbial carcinogen.
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that are produced by many
species of Aspergillus, a fungus, most notably Aspergillus flavus and
Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic. After entering
he body, aflatoxins are metabolized by the liver to a reactive intermediate,
aflatoxin M1, an epoxide.
2. Benzene, or Benzol-- is an organic chemical compound with the formula C6H6. its use as an additive in gasoline is now limited, but it is an important industrial solvent and precursor in the production of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber, and dyes. Benzene is a natural constituent of crude oil, but it is usually synthesized from other compounds present in petroleum. Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon and the second [n]-annulene ([6]-annulene), a cyclic hydrocarbon with a continuous pi bond.
Benzene damages the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells,
leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and depress the immune
system, increasing the chance of infection.
3. Kepone, also known as chlordecone-- is a carcinogenic insecticide related to mirex, used between 1966 and 1975 in the USA for ant and roach baits. Chemically, kepone is a chlorinated polycyclic ketone insecticide and fungicide with the chemical formula C10H2Cl10O. The dry powder is readily absorbed through the skin and respiratory tract.
people exposed to Kepone powder suffered tremors, jerky eye movements,
memory loss, headaches, slurred speech, unsteadiness, lack of coordination,
loss of weight, rash, enlarged liver, decreased libido,...