Scientific research can cause no-end of worries.
This is something that could not be truer when it comes to carcinogens.
Just remember, it wasn’t a huge number of years ago that buildings were constructed with asbestos. Then, many years later, it started to become apparent that this was responsible for millions of cancer-related deaths – many of which happened decades after the initial exposure to the substance (we’ve found an infographic below which talks more about this).
Unfortunately, as science continues to develop, it appears that history is almost repeating itself. So-called normal, safe products are turning out to be anything-but and things are changing.
Today is all about showcasing this in the full, visual method that it perhaps needs. We have found some of the most interesting carcinogens around and placed them alongside infographics to describe what they are and the damage they can do to our bodies.
It can start through your letterbox
This first infographic actually looks at some of the most dangerous products that the contentious Monsanto are responsible for.
For the purposes of today we just want to take at one of these, coming in the form of polystyrene. As we know, this is something that is regularly used in the packaging of materials, yet research has now found that it can increase the risk of cancer.
The other eleven products mentioned in the infographic also give some good, albeit worrying, food for thought. A lot are related to the agriculture industry and are applied at scale using machinery like this.
Over the past few decades the world has fortunately come to understand the dangers of asbestos. However, it’s something that certainly shouldn’t be forgotten and this infographic shows some of the key points about it, ranging from the amount of time it takes to develop (it’s frightening), right the way to the jobs that are most at risk from it.
Formaldehyde: the new asbestos?
Scientifically speaking, formaldehyde isn’t linked to asbestos. However, it can be found in the building trade, with plywood and various roof coverings tending to use it. It has been classed as a carcinogen and this simple infographic illustrates the chemistry behind it.
Crispy, golden finishes: tasty but dangerous
It’s one of those things that you either love or hate. Unfortunately, in the interests of staying healthy, you should look to avoid that crispy, brown finish that so many crave with certain types of foods. Leaving something in the frying pan for a few minutes longer might taste the part (to some of us), but there are some carcinogenic concerns as well.
The scientific term for the “crispy, brown” phenomenon is acrylamide. This infographic dives into the topic in full detail, showing how the process works and ultimately, why it might be dangerous to you.
Finally, let’s leave you to look at this infographic which analyses carcinogens as a whole.
As the other infographics have already highlighted, the world of carcinogens is surprising and murky. This image by GMOAnswers.com highlights the point in-detail. It shows many of the different examples of carcinogens, ranging from those that are “probably not” carcinogenic to humans, to those that definitely are. Again, it makes for frightening viewing.
