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IARC monographs: 40 years of evaluating carcinogenic hazards to humans

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Open access via publisher
Authors
Pearce, N.
Blair, A.
Vineis, P.
Ahrens, W.
Andersen, A.
Anto, J.
Armstrong, B.
Baccarelli, A.
Beland, F.
Berrington, A.
Bertazzi, P.
Birnbaum, L.
Brownson, R.
Bucher, J.
Cantor, K.
Cardis, E.
Cherrie, J.
Christiani, D.
Cocco, P.
Coggon, D.
Comba, P.
Demers, P.
Dement, J.
Douwes, J.
Eisen, E.
Engel, L.
Fenske, R.
Fleming, L.
Fletcher, T.
Fontham, E.
Forastiere, F.
Frentzel-Beyme, R.
Fritschi, Lin
Gerin, M.
Goldberg, M.
Grandjean, P.
Grimsrud, T.
Gustavsson, P.
Haines, A.
Hartge, P.
Hansen, J.
Hauptmann, M.
Heederik, D.
Hemminki, K.
Hemon, D.
Hertz-Picciotto, I.
Hoppin, J.
Huff, J.
Jarvholm, B.
Kang, D.
Karagas, M.
Kjaerheim, K.
Kjuus, H.
Kogevinas, M.
Kriebel, D.
Kristensen, P.
Kromhout, H.
Laden, F.
Lebailly, P.
Lemasters, G.
Lubin, J.
Lynch, C.
Lynge, E.
Mannetje, A.
McMichael, A.
McLaughlin, J.
Marrett, L.
Martuzzi, M.
Merchant, J.
Merler, E.
Merletti, F.
Miller, A.
Mirer, F.
Monson, R.
Nordby, K.
Olshan, A.
Parent, M.
Perera, F.
Perry, M.
Pesatori, A.
Pirastu, R.
Porta, M.
Pukkala, E.
Rice, C.
Richardson, D.
Ritter, L.
Ritz, B.
Ronckers, C.
Rushton, L.
Rusiecki, J.
Rusyn, I.
Samet, J.
Sandler, D.
de Sanjose, S.
Schernhammer, E.
Costantini, A.
Seixas, N.
Shy, C.
Siemiatycki, J.
Silverman, D.
Simonato, L.
Smith, A.
Smith, M.
Spinelli, J.
Spitz, M.
Stallones, L.
Stayner, L.
Steenland, K.
Stenzel, M.
Stewart, B.
Stewart, P.
Symanski, E.
Terracini, B.
Tolbert, P.
Vainio, H.
Vena, J.
Vermeulen, R.
Victora, C.
Ward, E.
Weinberg, C.
Weisenburger, D.
Wesseling, C.
Weiderpass, E.
Zahm, S.
Date
2015
Collection
Type
Journal Article
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Abstract

Background: Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Programme for the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans has been criticized for several of its evaluations, and also for the approach used to perform these evaluations. Some critics have claimed that failures of IARC Working Groups to recognize study weaknesses and biases of Working Group members have led to inappropriate classification of a number of agents as carcinogenic to humans. oBjectives: The authors of this Commentary are scientists from various disciplines relevant to the identification and hazard evaluation of human carcinogens. We examined criticisms of the IARC classification process to determine the validity of these concerns. Here, we present the results of that examination, review the history of IARC evaluations, and describe how the IARC evaluations are performed. discussion: We concluded that these recent criticisms are unconvincing. The procedures employed by IARC to assemble Working Groups of scientists from the various disciplines and the techniques followed to review the literature and perform hazard assessment of various agents provide a balanced evaluation and an appropriate indication of the weight of the evidence. Some disagreement by individual scientists to some evaluations is not evidence of process failure. The review process has been modified over time and will undoubtedly be altered in the future to improve the process. Any process can in theory be improved, and we would support continued review and improvement of the IARC processes. This does not mean, however, that the current procedures are flawed. conclusions: The IARC Monographs have made, and continue to make, major contributions to the scientific underpinning for societal actions to improve the public’s health.

Citation
Pearce, N. and Blair, A. and Vineis, P. and Ahrens, W. and Andersen, A. and Anto, J. and Armstrong, B. et al. 2015. IARC monographs: 40 years of evaluating carcinogenic hazards to humans. Environmental Health Perspectives. 123 (6): pp. 507-514.
Source Title
Environmental Health Perspectives
URI
DOI
Department
Epidemiology and Biostatistics