Mutagens can be chemical, physical, or biological in nature. Common chemical mutagens include substances like tobacco smoke, asbestos, and certain pesticides. Physical mutagens include radiation, such as ultraviolet light from the sun and ionizing radiation from X-rays. Biological mutagens include viruses such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and bacteria like Helicobacter pylori. Exposure to these mutagens increases the risk of genetic mutations that can lead to cancer.
