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# Chemicals that increase breast cancer risk - part 1
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/chemicals_that_increase_breast_cancer_risk_0513140529/
- Published: 2014-05-13T18:28:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:10:13.000Z
- Description: A review names chemicals associated with higher breast cancer risk, beginning with 1,3-butadiene, absorbed mainly from cigarette smoke, car exhaust and gasoline fumes, and acrylamide, formed in fried and baked foods. Most of the evidence comes from rodent rather than human studies.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, #vivvo-import

A review released May 12, 2014 in Environmental Health prospective suggests that the following chemicals are associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Although few studies have been conducted in humans, studies of rodents provided sufficient evidence to suggest that these chemicals can raise the risk of breast cancer in women who are exposed to these chemicals. The authors say results from rodent studies are often consistent with results of human studies.

**1,3-Butadiene**

This chemical is highly reactive and can react with DNA initiating mutagenesis and carcinogenesis and increasing risk of cancers like breast cancer. DNA and hemoglobin adducts can be found in the blood samples from individuals exposed to the chemical.

Most people are exposed to 1,3-Butadiene "primarily via inhalation of cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, and gasoline fumes, as well as emissions from industrial facilities, " according to the report.

Occupational exposure to this chemical is a concern for workers in many industries including synthetic rubber manufacturing and petroleum refining industries. 

**Acrylamide**

It is believed that the major sources of acrylamide are fried and baked foods such as French fries and tobacco smoke. This chemical is not naturally present in foods. It is formed when amino acid asparagine reacts with glucose, a typical Maillard reaction or browning reaction that occurs in foods at high temperature. Acryamide is highly reactive and it can react with DNA. DNA adducts have been found in the tissue of breast which prompts scientist to believe that this toxic chemical plays a role in the etiology of breast cancer.

Other sources of acrylamide include grouts, adhesives, and polyacrylamide gels that find applications in consumer products (e.g., diapers), in drinking water treatment and other applications. 

**Aromatic amines** 

Aromatic amines are a group of chemicals that contain nitrogen bound to benzene or other aromatic rings including chemicals like aniline, o-Toluidine, 2,4,6-trimethylaniline, anisidine, 3-trifluoromethylaniline, 2,4-toluene diamine, toluene diisocyanate and N-methylaniline. These chemicals are used as intermediates in industrial synthesis of polyurethane (used in furniture like mattress), dyes and other chemical products. As many as 15 aromatic amines have been found to cause mammary gland tumors in rodents (equivalent to breast cancer in humans) and many other commercially important aromatic amines have not yet been tested for their carcinogenesis.

Many azo dyes are still produced and used mostly in Asia "in the production of textiles, hair dyes, paints, printing inks, paper, and pharmaceuticals; as reagents and biological stains in laboratories; in the food industries; and in laser, liquid crystal displays, ink-jet printers, and electro-optical devices."

Tobacco smoke and other combustion products can also produce some aromatic amines.

**Benzene**

Gasoline is considered one major source of exposure. As much as 5% of benzene is found in gasoline. Other important sources include tobacco smoke, car exhaust and other forms of urban and industrial air pollutants. Benzene is commonly used in consumer products such as "adhesive removers, paints, sealants, finishers, and engine fuel and oils."

Benzene is known to increase risk of leukemia. Occupational exposure to benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is also associated with elevated risk of breast cancer.

**Halogenated organic solvents** 

At least ten halogenated organic solvents like methylene chloride have been identified as potential carcinogens that can increase the risk of breast cancer. The chemicals were commonly used in the past in dry cleaning agents, "hair spray propellants, soil fumigants, food processing, gasoline additives, and paint and spot removers." Occupational exposure for workers can be a major source of these chemicals.

**Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide** 

Propylene oxide is considered a probable human carcinogen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of propylene oxide as a fumigant to pasteurize raw almonds. A similar chemical is ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide is also used to pasteurize food and spices and clothing, musical instruments and medical equipment. This chemical can also be found in tobacco smoke and auto exhaust.

Ethylene oxide has been associated with increased risk of breast cancer in previous studies. This chemical can react with DNA and form DNA adducts, which can lead to the development of breast cancer. (Edited by David Liu)

To be continued

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