Substance that causes or aggravates tumors or other types of cancer. A substance is considered carcinogen if it is (1) found to be a carcinogen or potential carcinogen by the International Agency For Research On Cancer, (2) listed as carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the latest edition of Annual Report On Carcinogens published by the US National Toxicology Program or, (3) is regulated by the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) as a carcinogen. Carcinogens enter a body through inhalation (of asbestos fiber and cigarette smoke, for example), ingestion (of heavy metals and pesticides, for example), and absorption (of dyes and hydrocarbons, for example) through skin.
Because the development of cancer is through irreversible cellular damage, no safe dose-limit is assumed for carcinogens. In comparison, toxic substances cause irreversible health damage only when exposure to them exceeds a certain dose limit. Most synthetic chemicals, especially industrial solvents and plastics, are either already-determined carcinogens or suspected carcinogens.
Use 'carcinogen' in a Sentence
The former employee sued the company for exposing him to high levels of a known carcinogen and is now battling cancer
The doctors finally acknowledged that the chemical found in sodas was an active carcinogen after multiple people reported the same kind of aggressive cancer after drinking the soda.
Having a job in a workplace where you are exposed to a known carcinogen can be detrimental to your health for the long-term.
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