Substances, mixtures, and exposure circumstances in this list have been classified as group 1 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): The agent (mixture) is carcinogenic to humans. The exposure circumstance entails exposures that are carcinogenic to humans. This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Exceptionally, an agent (mixture) may be placed in this category when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is less than sufficient. Still, there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent (mixture) acts through a relevant mechanism of carcinogenicity.
This list is focusing on the hazard linked to the agents. This means that the carcinogenic agents are capable of causing cancer, but this does not take their risk into account, which is the probability of causing a cancer, given the level of exposure to this carcinogenic agent.
Agents
Infectious conditions
Viruses
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (infection with) Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I Human papillomavirus types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59 Hepatitis B virus (chronic infection with) Hepatitis C virus (chronic infection with) Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus Epstein–Barr virus
Bacterium
Helicobacter pylori (infection with)
Worms
Clonorchis sinensis (infection with) Opisthorchis viverrini (infection with) Schistosoma haematobium (infection with)
Chemical substances
Acetaldehyde associated with consumption of alcoholic beverages
Aflatoxins
4-Aminobiphenyl
Aristolochic acids, and plants containing them
Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds
Asbestos (all forms, including actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite) Azathioprine Benzene Benzidine, and dyes metabolized to Benzo[a]pyrene Beryllium and beryllium compounds 1,3-Butadiene 1,4-Butanediol dimethanesulfonate (Busulphan, Myleran) Cadmium and cadmium compounds Chlornapazine (N,N-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-2-naphthylamine) Chlorambucil Bis(chloromethyl)ether Chloromethyl methyl ether Chromium(VI) (Hexavalent chromium) compounds Ciclosporin Cyclophosphamide 1,2-Dichloropropane Diethylstilboestrol Ethanol in alcoholic beverages Erionite Ethylene oxide Etoposide alone, and in combination with cisplatin and bleomycin Fluoro-edenite fibrous amphibole Formaldehyde Gallium arsenide Lindane Melphalan Methoxsalen (8-Methoxypsoralen) plus ultraviolet A radiation 4,4'-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA) MOPP and other combined chemotherapy including alkylating agents Mustard gas (Sulfur mustard) 2-Naphthylamine Nickel compounds 4-(N-Nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) N-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) 2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran 3,4,5,3’,4’-Pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126) Pentachlorophenol Polychlorinated biphenyls Semustine [1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea, Methyl-CCNU] Silica dust, crystalline, in the form of quartz or cristobalite Tamoxifen 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Thiotepa (1,1',1"-Phosphinothioylidynetrisaziridine) Treosulfan Trichloroethylene o-Toluidine Vinyl chloride
Radiations and physical agents thereof
Ionizing radiation (all types) Neutron radiation Ultraviolet radiation (wavelengths 100-400 nm, encompassing UVA, UVB, and UVC) Solar radiation X-ray and gamma radiation Phosphorus-32, as phosphate Plutonium Radioiodines, including iodine-131 Radionuclides, α-particle-emitting, internally deposited Radionuclides, β-particle-emitting, internally deposited Radium-224 and its decay products Radium-226 and its decay products Radium-228 and its decay products Radon-222 and its decay products Thorium-232 and its decay products
Complex mixtures/agents
Aflatoxins (naturally occurring mixtures of) Outdoor air pollution Outdoor air pollution, particulate matter in Alcoholic beverages Areca nut Betel quid with tobacco Betel quid without tobacco Coal-tar pitch Coal-tars (see Coal-tar distillation) Engine exhaust, diesel Estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy (combined) Estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptives (combined) Estrogen therapy, postmenopausal Fission products, including strontium-90 Leather dust Mineral oils, untreated or mildly treated Phenacetin, analgesic mixtures containing Plants containing aristolochic acid Polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxin-like, with a Toxicity Equivalency Factor (TEF) according to WHO (PCBs 77, 81, 105, 114, 118, 123, 126, 156, 157, 167, 169, 189) Processed meat (consumption of) Salted fish, Chinese-style Shale-oils Soot (as found in occupational exposure of chimney sweeps) Wood dust