Carcinogen Exposure
Analysis of exposure to carcinogenic substances Certified laboratory analysis Interpreted report
Carcinogenic substances are present in our daily environment and contribute to the development of cancer.
Are you exposed to carcinogenic solvents, plasticisers, pesticides and persistent organic pollutants, insecticides?
EXPOZOM proposes the measurement of carcinogenic substances in the hair and air to assess your individual exposure.
This test, with laboratory analysis, allow you to measure your exposure in order to identify sources of pollution, to act to reduce your exposure and to prevent the development of cancers.
Humans can be exposed to carcinogenic pollutants through :
- Inhaling polluted air
- Ingestion of contaminated food and water
- Skin contact with these substances
Knowledge of the exposome is based on the measurement of exposure to these pollutants in biological samples by hair analysis and environmental samples by analysis of ambient air.
How are carcinogenic pollutants chosen?
Chemicals are studied by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO/WHO) to assess their carcinogenic character. A classification of substances into several groups according to the level of evidence is proposed:
- Group 1: carcinogens (sometimes called proven carcinogens or definite carcinogens),
- Group 2A: probably carcinogenic agents,
- Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic agents (sometimes called possible carcinogen),
- Group 3: agent unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity,
- Group 4: agent probably not carcinogenic.
Pollutants tested in the EXPOZOM Carcinogen Exposure Test are classified by IARC as a Group 1, 2A and 2B carcinogen.
Due to their toxicity, the prevention of exposure to these substances is classified as a high priority for public health by international health authorities, including WHO, US EPA, European Union, ANSES and HEALTH CANADA.
What pollutants are tested for in the EXPOZOM Carcinogen Exposure test?
The pollutants tested for are:
- Solvents
- Metallic Trace Elements (heavy metals)
- Plasticising additives
- Pesticides (insecticides and herbicides)
- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Air :
A selection of 12 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene and formaldehyde are measured.
These are gaseous pollutants at room temperature and are present in the air we breathe.
Metals:
The measurement focuses on a selection of 12 Trace Metal Elements (TMEs) or heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, lead.
They are present inside buildings, in the air we breathe and in our food (water and food).
Organic Pollutants:
The measure covers a selection of 36 organic pollutants including pesticides (insecticides and herbicides), plastic additives and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) such as PCBs (used as insulators and flame retardants).
These pollutants are present in the air we breathe and in our food and water.
The complete list of pollutants is available here.
Why use an EXPOZOM Carcinogen Exposure Test?
- To know your personal level of exposure to carcinogens.
- To identify toxic pollutants to which you are exposed.
- Understand the associated risks and be able to act to protect your health.
- Receive advice on how to limit your exposure.
- Exposure to cancer-causing substances can cause the onset of cancer and increase the risk of recurrence.
What are the benefits of using EXPOZOM Carcinogen Exposure Analysis?
- Easy to use: reliable and very simple to perform sampling methods, requiring no technical skills.
- Highly accurate measurement results.
- Reliability of a certified French laboratory using state-of-the-art technology.
- Complete and anonymous analysis report.
- Prepaid return of samples included in the kit, valid in France and from 32 other countries.
Your analysis report:
- Available within 15 to 20 working days.
- Presents the concentrations of the carcinogenic substances analysed expressed in µg/m3 (microgram of pollutant per cubic metre of air) and in pg/mg (picogram of pollutant per milligram of hair). These concentrations are compared to the main international standards and allow you to interpret your actual level of exposure to carcinogens.
- Gives clear indications to identify the sources of carcinogenic substances.
- Recommends effective solutions to limit your daily exposure.
- Presents the main technologies for protecting yourself from exposure to pollution.
What do the EXPOZOM Carcinogen Exposure kits include?
- A device that allows you to take the quantity of hair necessary to perform the analysis.
- Two passive sensors for air sampling
- Prepaid return of your samples from France and 32 other countries.
- Analysis of your samples in a certified French laboratory.
- Interpretation of your results by biomonitoring experts.
- A complete and anonymous analysis report.
- Precise instructions to guide you step by step in the performance of your sampling and a sampling sheet for the interpretation of the results.
How to use your hair sampling kit?
The measurement of exposure to carcinogenic substances is carried out on the first few centimetres of a strand of hair.
- Use the device provided to take your hair sample.
- Carefully place the hair in the aluminium foil provided for the protection of your sample.
- Send your sample to the laboratory together with the collection sheet, using the pre-paid envelope provided.
How to use your air sampling kit?
The measurement of VOC air pollution is carried out with passive sensors.
- These sensors should be worn for a period of 7 consecutive days on the outer surface of the clothing worn.
- At night they should be placed on the bedside table.
- At the end of these 7 days, the sensors are returned to the laboratory with the sampling form, using the prepaid envelope provided.
How many tests do I need?
- Only one EXPOZOM Cancer Prevention test kit is needed to measure a person's exposure.
