Editing Carcinogen (section)

== Radiation ==
{{Main|radiation-induced cancer}}

=== Ionizing Radiation ===
[[CERCLA]] identifies all [[radionuclide]]s as carcinogens, although the nature of the emitted [[Radioactive decay|radiation]] ([[alpha particle|alpha]], [[beta particle|beta]], [[gamma ray|gamma]], or [[Neutron radiation|neutron]] and the radioactive strength), its consequent capacity to cause [[ionization]] in tissues, and the magnitude of radiation exposure, determine the potential hazard. Carcinogenicity of radiation depends on the type of radiation, type of exposure, and penetration. For example, [[alpha particle|alpha radiation]] has low penetration and is not a hazard outside the body, but emitters are carcinogenic when inhaled or ingested.  For example, [[Thorotrast]], a (incidentally radioactive) [[suspension (chemistry)|suspension]] previously used as a [[Radiocontrast|contrast]] medium in [[x-ray]] diagnostics, is a potent human carcinogen known because of its retention within various [[organ (biology)|organs]] and persistent emission of alpha particles.  Low-level ionizing radiation may induce irreparable DNA damage (leading to replicational and transcriptional errors needed for neoplasia or may trigger viral interactions) leading to pre-mature aging and [[cancer]].<ref>{{cite conference | vauthors = Acharya PV | title = The effect of ionizing radiation on the formation of age-correlated oligo deoxyribo nucleo phospheryl peptides in mammalian cells. | conference = 10th International Congress of Gerontology | location = Jerusalem | date = January 1975 }}</ref><ref>{{cite conference | vauthors = Acharya PV | title = Implications of The Action of Low-Level Ionizing Radiation on the Inducement of Irreparable DNA Damage Leading to Mammalian Aging and Chemical Carcinogenesis. | conference = 10th International Congress of Biochemistry | location = Hamburg, Germany | date = July 1976 }}</ref><ref>{{cite conference | vauthors = Acharya PV | title = Irreparable DNA-Damage by Industrial Pollutants in Pre-mature Aging, Chemical Carcinogenesis, and Cardiac Hypertrophy: Experiments and Theory | conference = 1st International Meeting of Heads of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratories | location = Jerusalem, Israel | date = April 1977 }}</ref>

=== Non-ionizing radiation ===
Not all types of electromagnetic radiation are carcinogenic. Low-energy waves on the [[electromagnetic spectrum]] including [[radio wave]]s, [[microwave]]s, [[infrared radiation]] and [[visible light]] are thought not to be, because they have insufficient energy to break chemical bonds. Evidence for carcinogenic effects of non-ionizing radiation is generally [[Electromagnetic radiation and health|inconclusive]], though there are some documented cases of radar technicians with prolonged high exposure experiencing significantly higher cancer incidence.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Richter E, Berman T, Ben-Michael E, Laster R, Westin JB | title = Cancer in radar technicians exposed to radiofrequency/microwave radiation: sentinel episodes | journal = International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health | volume = 6 | issue = 3 | pages = 187–193 | year = 2000 | pmid = 10926722 | doi = 10.1179/oeh.2000.6.3.187 | s2cid = 25147479 }}</ref>

Higher-energy radiation, including [[ultraviolet radiation]] (present in [[sunlight]]) generally ''is'' carcinogenic, if received in sufficient doses.   For most people, ultraviolet radiations from sunlight is the most common cause of skin cancer.  In Australia, where people with pale skin are often exposed to strong sunlight, [[melanoma]] is the most common cancer diagnosed in people aged 15–44 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle/SunSmart/Skincancerfactsandfigures.htm|title=Skin Cancer Facts and Figures|access-date=2010-07-02|archive-date=2012-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810071104/http://www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle/SunSmart/Skincancerfactsandfigures.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13922-skintone-gene-could-predict-cancer-risk.html| title = Skin-tone gene could predict cancer risk}}</ref>

Substances or [[Food irradiation|foods]] irradiated with electrons or electromagnetic radiation (such as microwave, X-ray or gamma) are not carcinogenic.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition |author1-link=Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition |title=Food Irradiation: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-irradiation-what-you-need-know |website=FDA |access-date=20 January 2021 |language=en |date=20 April 2020}}</ref> In contrast, non-electromagnetic [[neutron radiation]] produced inside nuclear reactors can produce secondary radiation through [[nuclear transmutation]].