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Flavorings can cause cancer
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
British experts warn of another dangerous carcinogen that can cause the growth of atypical cells. Recent studies have found that air fresheners and scented candles, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, can pose a hidden threat to human health. The substance used in these products (which gives the aroma), when interacting with air, is transformed into a dangerous carcinogen - formaldehyde, the danger of which was proven almost 30 years ago.
Professor Alistair Lewis's research group noted that the popular fragrance limonene, which is completely safe for human health in its normal state, is used not only in the production of various flavors, but also as a food additive. Scientists have known for a long time that limonene can transform into a dangerous carcinogen, but almost all studies were conducted three decades ago and only recently, thanks to scientific progress, have we been able to obtain accurate results on the effects of this substance on human health.
Scientists have stated that the level of toxins in fragrances exceeds the norms several times, for example, scented candles contain limonene a hundred times more than previously assumed. In addition, most buildings today are equipped with air conditioning systems, which prevents the flow of fresh air and contributes to the accumulation of dangerous carcinogens in the air.
According to Professor Lewis, chemical fragrances are widely used in most homes. Today, scientists cannot say for sure what the effects of long-term exposure to formaldehyde will be on humans, but the fact that this substance is extremely dangerous to human health is obvious.
In addition to being a carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer), formaldehyde is an irritant to mucous membranes and can cause nosebleeds.
Experts note that the harmful effects of chemicals can be reduced in a simple way - each time after using chemicals, it is necessary to ventilate the room; there are also plants that absorb various toxins, thereby reducing the level of substances hazardous to health in the room.
Today, cancer remains one of the most dangerous diseases on the planet; hundreds of thousands of people die from one type of cancer or another every year.
In the USA, a group of specialists has proposed a new method for detecting this disease. It is known that the earlier cancer is detected, the greater the patient's chances of recovery, but at present, unfortunately, in most cases the disease is diagnosed during the manifestation of pronounced symptoms, when the disease is already at a stage when medicine is powerless.
But American scientists assure that in just 3 years the situation will change dramatically – a blood test will allow the doctor to determine whether there is a pathology in the body, and it will be possible to detect cancer even if the patient has no complaints at all. According to scientists, the test will allow cancer cells to be detected in the blood. According to some data, two large global companies – Amazon and Microsoft – are already ready to provide financial assistance to the project.
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