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Assessment of the risks associated with the use of chemical carcinogens in biomedical research

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Abstract

Estimates of occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens in biomedical research based on environmental monitoring data, efficiency of containment devices, and accident data suggest that workers may be exposed to a few tenths of a microgram of these carcinogens per work day. Environmental exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons andN-nitroso compounds exceeds one microgram per day. Because occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens in the laboratory can be readily controlled and because environmental exposure appears to be greater than the occupational exposure that does occur, the relative risk of occupational exposure does not seem to constitute a major health problem.

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  1. Environmental Control and Research Program, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research Facility, Program Resources, Inc., 21701-1013, Frederick, MD, USA

    Eric B. Sansone

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Sansone, E.B. Assessment of the risks associated with the use of chemical carcinogens in biomedical research. Cancer Metast Rev 6, 481–488 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00047463

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