- BERLIN (Reuters) -- Most
condoms contain a cancer-causing chemical and their manufacture should
be subject to greater quality control, a German scientific research institute
said Friday.
-
- The Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Institute in
Stuttgart, Germany, said it found the carcinogen N-Nitrosamine present
in 29 of 32 types of condoms it tested in simulated conditions.
-
- "N-Nitrosamine is one of the most carcinogenic substances,"
the study's authors said. "There is a pressing need for manufacturers
to tackle this problem."
-
- The carcinogen is thought to be present in a substance
used to improve condom elasticity. When the rubber material comes in contact
with human bodily fluids, it can release traces of N-Nitrosamine, the study
said.
-
- Local government officials said condom users should not
stop using rubber contraceptives based on results of the study because
N-Nitrosamine does not present an immediate health danger.
-
- But Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment said
that daily condom use exposed users to N-Nitrosamine levels up to three
times higher than levels naturally present in food.
-
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- http://news.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=52
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