Avoid Breast Cancer? Don't Pump Your Own Gas

Women, next time you pump gas, you might want to let the attendant do it.

 That's because a recent study has found that gasoline and chemicals formed by combustion are two of the biggest breast cancer carcinogens.

 The greatest sources of breast cancer carcinogens in the environment were found to be gasoline and chemicals created by combustion, such as benzene and butadiene, according to medical news today (MNT). Such chemicals are present in vehicle fuel, lawn equipment, tobacco smoke and burned or charred food.
Chemicals often found in industrial degreasers, speciality cleaners and spot removers were found to be other breast cancer-causing chemicals, while other mammary carcinogens include chemicals found in flame retardants, stain-resistant textiles, hormone replacement therapy and drinking water disinfection byproducts.
"Reducing chemical exposures could save many, many women's lives. When you talk to people about breast cancer prevention, chemical exposure often isn't even on their radar," MNT quotes study author Julia Brody, PhD, executive director at Silent Spring Institute. "Studies that address toxic chemical exposure account for just a drop in the bucket of money spent on breast cancer."
Women can stay safe by:
  • Limiting exposure to fumes from gasoline
  • Limiting exposure to exhaust from diesel and other fuel combustion, such as from vehicles or generators
  • Use electric instead of gas-powered lawn mowers
  • Use a ventilation fan when cooking and reduce consumption of charred or burned food
  • Avoid stain-resistant rugs, fabrics and furniture
  • Use a solid carbon block drinking water filter
  • Remove shoes at the door, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and clean with wet rags and mops to reduce exposure to chemicals in house dust.

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