Cancer Suspects

In Rome's marble-floored National Research Institute, 42 experts from 21 nations gathered last week under the sponsorship of the International Union Against Cancer to explore the case against a worrisome potential cancer hazard: the dyes and additives used in the preparation and preservation of foods, soaps, cosmetics. The conference's conclusion: although the vast majority of dyes, additives and wrapping materials have not yet been adequately tested, there is clear evidence that some possess cancer-causing qualities. Doctors were careful to point out that they were not drawing a bill of particulars, but merely listing substances that require further investigation. Among suspects:

P: Plastics used as food wrappers (for fruit, cheeses, meats, butter) and as the inner lining of cans.

P: Stilbene compounds (hydrocarbons) used as coloring matter in many household detergents.

P: Antibiotics and hormones used to fatten cattle.

P: The arsenic used in insecticides, fruit sprays, and occurring naturally in the drinking water of some areas (in Argentina 150 cases of cancer have been attributed to the water supply).

P: Certain paraffins used for coating milk containers.

P: Excessively toasted breads or biscuits, overcooked meats, mineral oils when used as fat substitutes during grilling or baking.

P: Beta-naphthylamine, used as a dye fixative in many lipsticks and chewing gums.

Most of the cancerous reactions from industrial chemicals so far have been artificially produced in the laboratory, but the doctors warned that they may eventually lead to "epidemic cancerous manifestations." Some researchers believe that increasing use of additives in the U.S. may be responsible for 5% to 10% of the nation's overall cancer increase in recent years. Says Dr. Wilhelm Hueper of U.S. National Cancer Institute: "Some people got into a fright when they first heard about bacteria or viruses, and for a time would not even shake hands for fear of infection. People came to accept the presence of dangerous micro-organisms in our environments while scientists did everything possible to lessen the danger. Now people must learn to live with carcinogens while scientists tackle the problem."

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