BBS demands enactment of law phasing out class-A carcinogens

BBS demands enactment of law phasing out class-A carcinogens

ChandigarhFebruary 4, 2011

On the occasion of World Cancer Day, NGO’s Burning Brains Society and Tobacco Free India Coalition demanded that the government should bring out clear cut legislation to ban all identified carcinogens. “If the government thinks that all identified carcinogens can not be banned immediately at-least a proper phase-out plan with a short time-line and having a legislative backing should be adopted by the government. To save it from corporate manipulation, pulls and pressures, an appropriate law must be enacted by the parliament of India,” Hemant Goswami, chairperson of Burning Brain Society emphasised.

Dr. Gaurav informed that “Cancer is caused by changes, i.e. mutations in a cell's DNA, its genetic "blueprint". Some of these changes may be inherited from our parents, while others may be caused by outside exposures, which are often referred to as environmental factors. Environmental factors can include a wide range of exposures, such as lifestyle factors, such as nutrition, tobacco use, physical activity, etc. Substances and exposures that can lead to cancer are called carcinogens. Some carcinogens do not act on DNA directly, but lead to cancer in other ways. For example, they may cause cells to divide at a faster than normal rate, which could increase the chances that DNA changes will occur. Substances labeled as carcinogens may have different levels of cancer-causing potential. Some may cause cancer only after prolonged, high levels of exposure. And for any particular person, the risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including how they are exposed to a carcinogen, the length and intensity of the exposure, and the person's genetic makeup.”

“There are many identified cancer causing substances but unfortunately India has no policy or law to restrict their use and/or ban it. It is unacceptable that known and identified human carcinogens should continue to be continued to be used and promoted for market interests. We have been pressing the government to bring out a law to regulate and ban all carcinogens but the industry forces seem to be dominating at this point of time.” Hemant added.

A new web portal to spread awareness about cancer was also launched by BBS on the occasion. Complete scientific information about cancer is available on the websitewww.cancerfreeworld.org. The material has been developed in collaboration with American Cancer Society. “Cancer free world” has also collaborated with Servants of the People Society to help the poor and needy suffering from cancer out of the “Bimla Devi Cancer Control Corpus.” Those desirous of helping cancer victims can also approach the office of the Servant of People Society to contribute, Amarpreet Kour, outreach director of “Cancer free world” informed.

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