Researchers identify 920 chemicals in everyday food, products that may raise breast cancer risk

Researchers have identified 920 chemicals whose biological activity suggests they could increase breast cancer risk, with the substances found in everyday products, food, drinking water, medicines and pesticides.

According to Environmental Health Perspectives, as reported by Tribune, the study by researchers from the Silent Spring Institute and other institutions identified the chemicals as breast cancer-relevant chemicals, or BC-Chems.

The researchers said the chemicals were identified because they cause mammary tumours in rodents or activate biological pathways involving hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone. However, they stressed that the findings do not prove that all 920 chemicals cause breast cancer in humans.

The study found about 500 BC-Chems in consumer products, while 462 were linked to dietary sources, 162 to drinking water, 485 to pesticide formulations, 142 to pharmaceuticals and 106 to construction materials.

Researchers also found widespread industrial emissions involving the chemicals, with billions of pounds released into the US environment.

They called for stronger monitoring, tighter controls on contaminants and reduced use of potentially harmful chemicals in common products.