Mythbuster: DOES THIS CAUSE CANCER?

Mythbusters: Does This Cause Cancer?

Does BPA Increase Cancer Risk?

To reduce exposure, one should avoid plastics that could contain BPA. The problem here is that we do not know exactly how pervasive BPA is. For instance, polycarbonate is often used for industrial filtering, so drinking from a glass bottle does not necessarily mean the liquid is BPA-free.

What we really need is global legislation. Lawmakers in France and Denmark have already implemented a policy to ban BPA from all food packaging. Until such regulations are instituted in more countries worldwide it is good advise for people to talk to their local representatives and to take part in the public debate.

Verdict: Plausible to likely, given strong evidence in animal models.

Can Artificial Sweeteners Cause Cancer?"

The FDA established an acceptable daily intake for additives—the amount of a product a person can safely consume each day with no side effects. For aspartame, for instance, the acceptable daily intake is 50 mg/kg of body weight. That means a 60-kg person can safely consume 3000 mg of aspartame per day, which is equivalent to about 136 packets of Equal or sixteen 12-ounce cans of diet soda.

Do Pesticides Increase Cancer Risk?

There is no clear association between pesticide exposure and cancer risk.  There does not appear to be a benefit of organic produce. It may be more important to wash fruit well and to be careful about specific fruits, known as the 'dirty dozen,' that have higher levels of pesticides.

Verdict: Plausible in people with high exposure levels (farmers and pesticide applicators), but unlikely in consumers with very low levels of exposure.

Can Cell Phones Increase Risk for Brain Cancer?

Until there is further evidence, it may be wise to err on the side of caution. This is not something people should freak out about, but there are simple ways to reduce exposure to cell phones, such as using headsets or landlines. Limiting exposure is especially important, considering that we encounter a range of radiofrequency fields in our daily lives—from our computer, WiFi signal, and commonly used household appliances, such as microwaves.

Verdict: Plausible. The evidence is mixed, with considerable debate and uncertainty in the field.

Do Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields From Power Lines Increase Cancer Risk?

Verdict:  The evidence is highly consistent for an increased risk for childhood leukemia.  

 http://click.mail.medscape.com/?qs=94f18f001c8cf2e5cffc8a6e6a0fa5606214a7d8e62a99da919c0e4e10d4777e27f51c0d2e1e464f

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