IAQ Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, February 19, 2025

The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health reports that cancer is caused by changes to certain genes that alter the way cells function. They go on to share that some of these genetic changes occur naturally when DNA is replicated during the process of cell division, but others are the result of environmental exposures that damage DNA.

According to the National Cancer Institute:

People can avoid some cancer-causing exposures, such as tobacco smoke and the sun’s rays. But other ones are harder to avoid, especially if they are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, or the materials we use to do our jobs. 

Understanding how to prevent cancer is important as the number of new cases each year is significant. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that as recently as 2021, there were over 1,777,000 new cancer cases reported in the United States. Tragically, over 608,000 people died from cancer in 2022.

“To help raise awareness about the fight against cancer and steps people can take to lower than chances of developing it, the month of February is designated as National Cancer Prevention Month,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Preventing or at least mitigating environmental exposures to known and probable carcinogens, such as exposure to tobacco smoke, radon, formaldehyde, and asbestos in the home, can be a factor. In the workplace, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health warns that millions of U.S. workers are exposed to substances that have been tested as carcinogens in animal studies or found to be possibly carcinogenic in human studies.”

To help prevent exposure to environmental carcinogens and other hazardous substances, EMSL Analytical offers environmental, material, and industrial hygiene testing services. Their network of laboratories analyzes samples for a wide range of known and suspected carcinogens. EMSL also provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate exposure risks.

EMSL sponsored an educational video about National Cancer Prevention Month several years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/d3twvxX1j4o 

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com. For access to environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.