[Carcinogenic agents in our environment]

Recent developments in the field of experimental toxicology might lead one to a better classification of the environmental chemicals into the groups of carcinogens and non-carcinogens. The enhanced sensitivity of the available test systems has lead us to obtain an increased number of the chemicals with low carcinogenic potencies as well as the doubtful findings that fit within no specific class. The widely discussed cancer risk of smokers and the cancer risks due to diet enhance possibilities that lead to cancer prevention, as are exampled here. In this connection, individual risk factors and the promises in risk control by the measures of Biological monitoring are emphasized.