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While a great deal is known about EDs and their link to breast cancer, there are other chemicals that appear to put individuals at risk as well. These other chemicals do not work by disrupting the hormonal cycle, but either act as mutagens and affect the DNA of the mammary cell, or alter the ability of the cell to respond to environmental stress.(4) Many of these chemicals have been detected in occupational health studies where workers may be exposed to continual low-level doses of a given chemical. Non-ED chemicals that epidemiological and lab studies have found to be associated with breast cancer include —

• Organic solvents including; benzene, styrene and trichloroethylene (4,30,31)
• Vinyl Chloride (4)   
• 1,3-Butadiene (4)   
• Ethylene Oxide (4)    
• Aromatic Amines (4)

Many of these exposures occur to women who work in manufacturing, for example benzene poses the highest risk for individuals who work in chemical, rubber and shoe manufacturing, as well as oil and gasoline refining industries; and  the manufacturing of cleaning products, cosmetics, computer components, metals, lumber, furniture, printing, chemical, textiles, clothing, and electronics exposes workers to vinyl chloride. See below for more details regarding where these chemical are found, as well as occupations and workplaces where women may come into contact with non-ED chemicals that are associated with breast cancer.

Occupational Exposures to Carcinogenic Chemicals Associated with Breast Cancer

Benzene is a designated carcinogen. Individuals are exposed to benzene by inhaling gasoline fumes, car exhaust and cigarette smoke, and from industrial burning. Benzene poses the highest risk for individuals who work in chemical, rubber and shoe manufacturing, as well as oil and gasoline refining industries.(4) Benzene is also used to manufacture semiconductors.(32)

Organic solvents are ubiquitous in our culture, and occupational exposures to these solvents have been linked with increases in breast cancer incidence. Examples of organic solvents include toluene, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, styrene, carbon tetrachloride and formaldehyde.  These chemicals are used in the manufacturing of cleaning products, cosmetics, computer components, metals, lumber, furniture, printing, chemical, textiles, clothing, and electronics.(4,31) 

Vinyl Chloride is also a known carcinogen and is used to make medical products, food packaging, appliances, cars, toys, credit cards, and rainwear, to name a few. Although products made from vinyl chloride are inert, the manufacturing of vinyl chloride and the burning of vinyl chloride release carcinogens. Those who manufacture these products have reported increased mortality from breast and liver cancer.(4)

1,3-butadiene is also a known carcinogen. Individuals are exposed to 1,3-butadiene through inhalation. The chemical is used in the manufacturing of synthetic rubber products and some fungicides, posing the highest risk to those who work in this industry.(4) 

Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is used to sterilize surgical instruments and is commonly used in healthcare settings. A known carcinogen, increased exposure to EtO has been linked to increased breast cancer among women working in a commercial sterilization facility.(4)

breast cancer, benzene, organic solvents, vinyl chloride, butadiene, ethylene oxide

Last updated 387 days ago by Katie Huffling