New Carcinogen Review Includes Alcohol and Second-Hand Smoke

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--Alcoholic beverages and environmental tobacco smoke top a list of eight things the National Toxicology Program recently announced it would review for listing in the federal government’s Ninth Report on Carcinogens, which will go to Congress in 1999.

The other six include particulates in diesel engine exhaust; isoprene, an element of natural rubber; methyl-t-butyl ether, an additive to unleaded gasoline; crystalline silica from mining, quarrying, stone-cutting, and related occupations; the sterilant ethylene oxide; and the element nickel and its compounds. The last two elements, both currently listed as "anticipated" human carcinogens, will be considered for designation as "known" human carcinogens.