With all sorts of new chemicals surrounding the average person everyday, it’s no wonder that some of these chemicals turn out to be potentially dangerous to them.

Carcinogens are defined as any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer. They can be found in everything from household cleaning agents to common foods.

One place that concerned individuals should search for cancer-causing agents is on their dinner table. In a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute, cooking meat, like beef, pork, fish or poultry, using high-temperature methods, like pan-frying or grilling over an open flame, can form chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked to cancer in animals.

“In laboratory experiments, HCAs and PAHs have been found to be mutagenic–that is, they cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer,” the National Cancer Institute said. “And the link between the two is intensified when the meat being cooked is a processed meat.”

Basically, when meat is cooked at high temperatures, it might form a chemical that may cause cancer. However, the study did cite that the amount of meat that humans would need to consume in order to put themselves at any sort of serious risk for cancer would be extremely high–much higher than the amount that any average person would eat.

There are other foods to be aware of: hot dogs, more specifically the Beef Frankfurters that are produced by Oscar Meyer, due to containing several toxic ingredients; dark soda’s caramel dye has also been found to induce cancerous changes in animal cells, which may lead to the growth of tumors; and some brands of microwave popcorn also contain traces of a chemical that has been labeled as a carcinogen.

When one looks away from food, he or she finds that potential carcinogens are everywhere. Many cleaning products, like Ajax cleanser, Zud Heavy Duty cleanser and Lysol disinfectant spray, contain unlabeled toxic ingredients like crystalline silica and orthophenylphenol, which are known carcinogens and lung irritants.

Even sporting events may contain traces of danger.
The beads used on a new turf field, which are made of ground rubber tires, may be potential carcinogens. A study conducted by Environment and Human Health Inc. found that “some of the compounds [used in making the beads] are identified as known or suspected carcinogens.” Prolonged exposure to these chemicals may increase the risk of developing cancerous tumors for any one person.

Carcinogens can be found everywhere, from the football field to the meals that families eat every night. “It’s surprising how often they’re found in everyday life,” Holly Dooge, junior, said.

More research is always being done to determine the safety of objects that people use everyday. However, the most important point that these researchers would like to stress is that most of these objects are safe in moderation. As long as one does not consume hundreds of pounds of cooked meat, directly inhale cleaning agents or ingest turf beads, he or she should not be concerned.