title: Wood Dust and Formaldehyde (Medicine)
author: The International Agency for Research on Cancer
description: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization. IARC's mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control. The Agency is involved in both epidemiological and laboratory research and disseminates scientific information through publications, meetings, courses, and fellowships.
zlib_text: COAL TARS AND COAL TAR PITCHES* 
  First Listed in the First Annual Report on Carcinogens 
  CARCINOGENICITY
  Coal tars and coal tar pitches are known to be human carcinogens based on sufficient 
  evidence of carcinogenicity in humans (IARC 1985, 1987). There have been a number of case
  reports of skin cancer in patients who used tar ointments for a variety of skin diseases. A
  mortality analysis in the United Kingdom from 1946 showed a greatly increased scrotal cancer 
  risk for patent-fuel workers.
  Furthermore, a large number of case reports describe the
  development of skin (including the scrotum) cancer in workers exposed to coal tars or coal-tar
  pitches. Several epidemiological studies have shown an excess of lung cancer among workers
  exposed to coal tar fumes in coal gasification and coke production. A cohort study of U.S. 
  roofers indicated an increased risk for cancer of the lung and suggested increased risks for 
  cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, stomach, skin, and bladder,