Final answer:
A substance that poses a chemical hazard and increases the incidence of cancer is considered a chemical carcinogen. Carcinogens can be natural or synthetic and may cause mutations in DNA, leading to cancer. Examples include formaldehyde, asbestos, and tobacco. The correct option of choice is c) Carcinogen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Any substance that poses a chemical hazard is considered a chemical carcinogen. Chemical carcinogens may be natural or synthetic and increase the incidence of cancer based on research and studies. While some chemicals only become carcinogenic after being metabolized in the body, and the effect can be dose-dependent, a correlation between chemical exposure and cancer has often been observed.
Among the given options (allergen, pathogen, carcinogen, mutagen), a carcinogen directly increases the incidence of cancer. Moreover, not all mutagens are carcinogens, but many carcinogens can also be mutagens because they change the DNA in a way that leads to cancer.
Examples of chemical carcinogens include formaldehyde, asbestos, radon, vinyl chloride, and tobacco. These substances can cause mutations in DNA, leading to uncontrolled cell division, or cancer. It is critical to identify and reduce exposure to such carcinogens to lower the risk of developing cancer.