Carcinogen facts for kids
Carcinogens are special substances that can cause cancer in living things. Sometimes, certain types of radiation or tiny radioactive particles called radionuclides are also considered carcinogens. A well-known example of something that contains carcinogens is tobacco smoke. Carcinogens can be found naturally in our environment or be created by people.
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What Are Carcinogens?
Carcinogens are things that can damage our cells and make them grow out of control, which is how cancer starts. It's like a tiny mistake in the body's building instructions that can lead to big problems. Not all carcinogens are equally strong, and how much you are exposed to them matters.
Carcinogens from Radiation
Some radioactive substances are known carcinogens. The danger comes from the energy they release, like gamma rays or alpha particles. These rays and particles can harm our cells.
How Radiation Causes Harm
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (CERCLA) says that all radionuclides are carcinogens. How dangerous radiation is depends on its type, how you are exposed to it, and how deeply it can go into your body. For example, alpha radiation cannot go very deep into the body. It is not usually dangerous if it stays outside. But if alpha radiation is breathed in or eaten, it can become a carcinogen.
A substance called Thorotrast, which was once used in x-rays, is a human carcinogen. Marie Curie, a famous scientist who studied radioactivity, sadly died from cancer. This cancer was caused by the radiation she was exposed to during her experiments.
Different Types of Radiation
Not all types of energy waves are carcinogenic. Things like Radio waves (used in radios), microwave radiation (used in ovens), infrared radiation (like from a TV remote), and visible light (what we see) are generally not harmful in this way. However, higher-energy radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation (from the sun), usually is carcinogenic if a person is exposed to it for too long. This is why it's important to protect your skin from too much sun.
Carcinogens in Our Food
Recent studies show that when food is cooked at very high temperatures, tiny amounts of carcinogens might form. For example, if you pre-cook meats in a microwave oven for a few minutes before grilling them, it shortens the time they spend on the hot grill. This can help reduce the amount of carcinogens created.
Cooking and Food Safety
Some foods, like potato chips and French fries, might have higher levels of certain carcinogens than others. Also, the black, charred parts on barbecued meats can contain carcinogens.
How Our Bodies Protect Us
This doesn't mean that eating cooked foods is always dangerous. Our digestive system, which includes our stomach and intestines, constantly replaces its outer layer. This helps protect it from harmful substances that could cause cancer. Because of this, our bodies have a good chance of getting rid of bad enzymes that might lead to cancer.
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Cigarettes have been known carcinogens for at least 65 years.
See also
In Spanish: Carcinógeno para niños
