Skip to main content
         

Vol. 09 Issue 3, Summer 2004

BCERF EnviroChem and Cancer Database (ECCD)
The Ribbon 

BCERF created its Fact Sheet #45 in response to requests to provide an overview of the question: why is there concern about environmental chemicals and breast cancer risk? Since then, BCERF has widely communicated this fundamental background in print as well as other formats – using, for example, in-person presentations and distance learning opportunities. A list of chemicals that the National Toxicology Program (NTP) identified as causing breast tumors in laboratory animals constitutes a central aspect of the concern about environmental chemicals and breast cancer risk. These 42 chemicals – known as mammary carcinogens – concern BCERF and other researchers because of the questions they raise about the potential of these chemicals to affect breast cancer risk in humans. When human data is not available, laboratory animal studies provide important information in identifying hazardous chemicals. Most of the NTP mammary carcinogens remain in the manufacturing stream, and yet little is known about any relationship to breast cancer risk in a human population. With the help of a Cornell undergraduate, Michael Goldman, working with Associate Director of Translational Research Dr. Suzanne Snedeker, BCERF has added a unique on-line resource as an addendum to Fact Sheet #45: the EnviroChem and Cancer Database, (ECCD). In this way, we are able to move beyond simply providing the list of mammary carcinogens, to offering this resource containing more information necessary for public and professional decision-making.

The EnviroChem and Cancer Database is a searchable, interactive spreadsheet of information on these 42 mammary carcinogens. At any point, it represents a “snapshot” of information on these chemicals; as scientific and policy information increases and changes, so will the entries. Goldman used a variety of sources to track down the following information on each chemical: * major uses * cancer classification according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) * whether the chemical is currently produced or when it was taken off the market * use in manufacturing and consumer products * exposures of concern * an overview of workplace regulations and advisories by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The result is an easy-to-use resource for community members and professionals concerned about any or all of these chemicals. The ongoing results of this project indicate that occupational exposures are of utmost concern in each case. But household and general population exposures are also a possibility with many of the chemicals, and some of the chemicals are environmentally persistent pollutants.

Goldman says that “from the beginning I hoped that this product would help people make more educated decisions with respect to the products they buy; I also hope it will be used by workers to gain awareness of the health hazards that many chemicals used across industries can present. I am happy to see the ECCD at the public’s fingertips.”

One can search the database by the chemical name, the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, or by using a pull-down list of major uses. Some examples of uses include: several pharmaceutical drugs; chemical solvents and flame retardants; a variety of chemicals used in the manufacturing of dyes, rubber, vinyl and polyurethane foams; a sterilizing agent for medical instruments; a food additive; several fumigants and pesticides; a metal used in microelectronics; a mycotoxin produced by molds, and; a gasoline additive.

The accompanying “screen grab” (Figure 1) shows the results page when one searches “methylene chloride.” This is one of the chemicals that was found to be ubiquitous in both industrial settings and household products. Household products containing methylene chloride include automotive degreasing and part cleaning products, paint strippers, and adhesive and spray paint removing products. For entries such as this one, the ECCD user is also directed to the Household Products Database of the National Library of Medicine at http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/ This database provides a list of specific products containing the chemical in question.

In addition to the searchable, interactive database, the user also has the option of downloading a print version of the database and a coversheet explaining its purpose, a list of abbreviations, and key references. A link to the full on-line bibliography for the ECCD is also available.

Many questions remain about human breast cancer risk and the NTP-identified mammary carcinogens. As we move closer to the goal of understanding the relationship of specific chemicals to breast cancer risk, we hope that the ECCD will provide a useful research tool to those seeking risk reduction opportunities through chemical substitution in the occupational setting, in the community, or at home. Comments welcome! Contact Suzanne Snedeker at sms31@cornell.edu

Back to the top

Last Update 08.24.04