A carcinogen known to cause hepatocellular carcinoma
a) aniline dyes
b) Aflatoxins
c) Tamoxifen
d) Hydroquinone
e) asbestos
Answer:
b) Aflatoxins
Explanation
When certain types of fungus grow on food, they produce minute amounts of toxins called mycotoxins. Most fungi-produced mycotoxins are harmless, and even helpful. For example, the antibiotic penicillin came from a fungus, and it is a mycotoxin. Some of these fungi (primarily Aspergillus flavus) produce the very lethal mycotoxins called aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are remarkably potent, often causing disease even when ingested in minute amounts. Aflatoxins can cause disease throughout the body, but are most commonly known for causing acute or chronic liver disease and liver cancer.