Eight new substances added to U.S. carcinogen report

Eight new entries, including a chronic bacterial infection, a flame retardant and six water disinfection byproducts, have been added this year to a U.S. carcinogen report.

Eight entries have been added to the U.S. Report on Carcinogens, a cumulative report mandated by U.S. Congress to list substances that are known or are reasonably anticipated to cause cancer in humans.

In the 2021 15th Report on Carcinogens, the new entries added bring the total list up to 256 substances, according to a Dec. 23 news release.

The report is prepared by the U.S. National Toxicology Program for the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This year’s report coincides with the 50th anniversary of the U.S. National Cancer Act of 1971, signed into law by then-President Richard Nixon.

The report identifies environmental factors, chemicals, infectious agents, physical agents – such as X-rays -- and exposure scenarios but does not include estimates of cancer risk because of the many variables that can affect whether or not a person will develop cancer.