Carcinogens are substances known to be carcinogenic i.e. to cause cancer. As per the Third Annual Report on Carcinogens released by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as early as in 1983, there are 22 known carcinogens and 95 doubtful carcinogens as follows:

Substances or group of substances, and technological or manufacturing processes that are known to be carcinogenic are:

1. 4-Aminobiphenyl
2. Arsenic and certain arsenic compounds
3. Asbestos
4. Auramine manufacture
5. Benzene
6. Benzidine
7. N.N-bis (2 chloroethyl)-2-naphthylamine (chlornaphazine)
8. Bis (chloromethyl) ether (BCME) and technical grade chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME)
9. Chlorambucil
10. Chromium and certain chromium compounds
11. Coke oven emissions
12. Cyclophosphamide
13. Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
14. Hematite underground mining
15. Isopropyl alcohol manufacture (strong-acid process)
16. Melphalan
17. Mustard gas
18. 2-Naphthylamine
19. Nickel refining
20. Soots, tars, and mineral oils
21. Thorium dioxide
22. Vinyl Chloride

Substances or groups of substances that may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens:

1. 2-Acetylaminofluorene
2. Acrylonitrile
3. Aflatoxins
4. 2-Aminoanthraquinone
5. 1-Amino-2 methylanthraquinone
6. Amitrole
7. o-Anisidine and o-anisidine hydrochloride
8. Aramite
9. Benz(a)anthracene
10. Benzo(b)fluoranthene
11. Benzo(a)pyrene
12. Beryllium and certain beryllium compounds
13. Cadmium and certain cadmium compounds
14. Carbon tetrachloride
15. Chloroform
16. p-Cresidine
17. Cupferron
18. Cycasin
19. 2,4-Diaminoanisole sulfate
20. 2,4-Diaminotoluene
21. Dibenz(a,h)acridine
22. Dibenz(a,j)acridine
23. Dibenz(a,h)anthracene
24. 7H-Dibenzo(c,g)carbazole
25. Dibenzo(a,h)pyrene
26. Dibenzo(a,i)pyrene
27. 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
28. 1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
29. 3.3’-Dichlorobenzidine
30. 1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC)
31. Diepoxybutane
32. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
33. 3,3’-dimethoxybenzidine
34. 4-Dimethylaminoazobenze
35. 3.3’-Dimethoxybenzidine
36. Dimethylcarbamoyl chloride
37. Dimethyl sulfate
38. 1,4-Dioxane
39. Direct Black 38
40. Direct Blue 6
41. Ethylene thiourea
42. Formaldehyde
43. Hexachlorobenzene
44. Hydrazine and hydrazine sulfate
45. Hydrazobenzene
46. Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
47. Iron dextran complex
48. KeponeÒ (chlordecone)
49. Lead acetate and lead phosphate
50. Lindane and other hexachlorocyclohexane isomers
51. 4.4’-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA)
52. 4.4’-Methylenebis(n,n,-dimethyl)benzenamine
53. Michler’s ketone
54. Mirex
55. Nickel and certain nickel compounds
56. Nitrilotriacetic acid
57. 5-Nitro-o-anisidine
58. Nitrofen
59. N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine
60. N-Nitrosodiethanolamine
61. N-Nitrosodiethylamine
62. N-Nitrosodimethylamine
63. p-Nitrosodiphenylamine
64. N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine
65. N-Nitroso-n-ethylurea
66. N-Nitroso-n-methylurea
67. N-Nitrosomethylvinylamine
68. N.Nitrosomorpholine
69. N-Nitrosonornictotine
70. N-Nitrosopiperidine
71. N-Nitrosophyrrolidine
72. N-Nitrososarcosine
73. Oxymetholone
74. Phenacetin
75. Phenazopyridine and phenazopyridine hydrochloride
76. Phenytoin and sodium salt of phenytoin
77. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)
78. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
79. Procarbazine and procarbazine hydrochloride
80. b-Propriolactone
81. Reserpine
82. Saccharin
83. Safrole
84. Selenium sulfide
85. Streptozotocin
86. Sulfallate
87. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
88. Thioacetamide
89. Thiourea
90. o-Toluidine and o-toluidine hydrachloride
91. Toxaphene
92. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
93. Tris(1-aziridinyl)phosphine sulfide
94. Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate
95. Urethane

Asbestos and PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) are two carcinogenic substances that are so commonly used in India.

As regards asbestos, in U.S.A. as early as in 1982 there were more than 16,500 law suits asking for a total of US$:12 billion in damages filed against the largest manufacturer of asbestos The Manville Corporation. The company had to agree to set up a US$:2.5 billion fund to pay asbestos health-related claims which seek compensation for injuries caused by exposure to asbestos, which can cause chronic lung disease or cancer when inhaled. Also the company had to approve a fund of US$:125 million to settle asbestos related property damage claims against it. The company had to even file a case for protection from its creditors under federal bankruptcy laws. In India asbestos is a substance which continue to be liberally manufactured and utilized for roofing - railway waiting halls to schools, colleges, community halls, prayer halls, military barracks, government offices to court buildings, etc.

As regards PVC, it is universally known that PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) contains VCM (Vinyl Chloride Monomer) and the same is carcinogenic. Vinyl Chloride is a carcinogen that targets organs like the liver (angio-sarcomas), brain, lung and hemo and lymphopoletic systems. Understandably there is no evidence that there is an exposure level of Vinyl Chloride below which no increased risk of cancer would occur in human. In India, PVC is liberally used as pipes for drinking water supply and other applications.

In India, just as cancer enters the human body stealthily and affects almost all parts of human body, if one takes up cancer prevention drive by check / control of carcinogens and nuclearisation trouble arises from unknown and unpredictable sources, often stealthily, and one will be forced to give up the cause or get crucified. That powerful is the carcinogens / nuclear lobby with all round support of political and apolitical leadership including ignorant doctors and scientists. There will be none to wink even a cursory look at the victim. This is something to be personally experienced by one to believe it. It is to be understood by all that knowledge is far beyond what we see, hear and read.