How does the EPA regulate carcinogens?
The EPA identifies and regulates
carcinogens—substances that can lead to cancer—through a comprehensive risk assessment process. This process involves hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. The agency then sets regulatory limits on the concentration of these substances in air, water, and soil to minimize public exposure.
Clean Air Act: This act regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to ensure cleaner air, thereby reducing exposure to air pollutants that can cause cancer.
Safe Drinking Water Act: This act aims to protect public drinking water supplies by setting maximum contaminant levels for various pollutants, including known carcinogens.
Superfund Program: This program deals with cleaning up the nation's most contaminated land, often containing hazardous waste sites that pose significant cancer risks.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): This act gives the EPA authority to require reporting, record-keeping, and testing of chemicals, as well as to ban or restrict those that pose a risk to human health.
Asbestos: Used in building materials, asbestos exposure is linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Benzene: Commonly found in industrial emissions, benzene exposure is associated with leukemia.
Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon exposure is a significant risk factor for lung cancer.
Formaldehyde: Used in various household products and building materials, formaldehyde exposure is linked to nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia.
Test your home for
radon and mitigate if necessary.
Avoid using products containing
asbestos and hire professionals for its removal if found in your home.
Limit exposure to
secondhand smoke and support smoke-free policies in public places.
Stay informed about local air and water quality reports and use appropriate filters if needed.
Reduce the use of products containing
formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
How effective has the EPA been in reducing cancer risks?
The EPA has made significant strides in reducing cancer risks through stringent regulations and cleanup efforts. For example, the phase-out of leaded gasoline and the reduction of industrial emissions of known carcinogens have led to measurable declines in population exposure and associated cancer rates. However, challenges remain, including emerging contaminants and the need for continuous monitoring and research to adapt to new scientific findings.
