Which is a carcinogen?

Which is a carcinogen?

• A. Benzene
• B. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• C. DDT
• D. Formaldehyde

Answer: (A)

A carcinogen is a substance that can cause cancer by damaging DNA or altering how cells grow. Benzene fits this description because, after entering the body, it is metabolized to reactive forms that can form DNA adducts and cause chromosomal damage in hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells. This damage can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and leukemia, which is why benzene is a well-established human carcinogen supported by epidemiological evidence in workers exposed to it and by regulatory classifications. The other substances have toxic effects, but their cancer-causing potential is not as clearly established in the same context, whereas benzene is the classic example of a chemical carcinogen relevant to introductory chemistry/biology material.

A carcinogen is a substance that can cause cancer by damaging DNA or altering how cells grow. Benzene fits this description because, after entering the body, it is metabolized to reactive forms that can form DNA adducts and cause chromosomal damage in hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells. This damage can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and leukemia, which is why benzene is a well-established human carcinogen supported by epidemiological evidence in workers exposed to it and by regulatory classifications. The other substances have toxic effects, but their cancer-causing potential is not as clearly established in the same context, whereas benzene is the classic example of a chemical carcinogen relevant to introductory chemistry/biology material.