[Evaluation of carcinogenic risk at the international (International Agency for Research on Cancer--World Health Organization) and the Czechoslovak level. A basis for consideration prior to amending Guideline no. 64/1984 on hygienic principles in working with chemical carcinogens].

The aim of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) attached to WHO is to facilitate world-wide cooperation in cancer research in the fields of science, methodology, information service, organization or even legislation. For this purpose the IARC publishes specialized monographs containing critical evaluation of risk materials, their mixtures as well as assessment of working procedures involving the risk of carcinogenesis. Within the IARC scope, so far 700 agents have been submitted for comprehensive investigation from the genotoxic aspect, and 628 out of these yielded valid results; 50 agents listed in Group 1 of demonstrable carcinogens, Group 2 contained 196 agents suspect of various degrees of carcinogenicity (subgroups 2A and 2B). The author compares the internationally accepted list of high-risk agents with the present Czechoslovak list--Guidelines No. 64/1984 containing 15 demonstrable carcinogenic agents and 17 potential carcinogenic agents, and he recommends that the prospective Amendment to the Guidelines No. 64/1984 should respond more keenly to the IARC conclusions and recommendations.