Is Tylenol a carcinogen?

Re “Tylenol runs afoul of Prop. 65,” editorial, Jan. 23

We rely on the Los Angeles Times to keep us honest, whether we are bureaucrats, captains of industry or (gulp) academics. It is unnerving when The Times itself needs calling out.

A Times editorial took the carcinogen watchdog agency of the California Environmental Protection Agency to task over the proposed assessment of the painkiller acetaminophen, saying “it is way too soon to declare acetaminophen a carcinogenic killer.” It implied that the process is a waste of time, likely to cause inconvenience.

The editorial is simply wrong. Like those who disparage vaccination and question global warming, the editorial sends the message that relying on science — evidence, in other words — is elitist, and that we are better off listening to (take your pick) Fox News or the neighborhood barber. This not only does a disservice to Californians, it also insults them.

Proposition 65 saves people from being exposed to carcinogens (and reproductive toxins) without their knowledge. If an agent is credibly suspicious, used by millions, and there is published evidence of cancer causation that has not been reviewed, it seems reasonable that we decide whether it is really a carcinogen.

Acetaminophen is such an agent and will be assessed by toxicologists, molecular biologists and epidemiologists from California institutions. If not judged carcinogenic, whether or not cleared of suspicion, life goes on. If it is, users should be warned, and responsibility passes from risk assessors to risk managers.

Remember: Before science, cigarettes were fun. Thomas Mack, M.D.

Los Angeles The writer is a professor of preventive medicine and pathology at the USC Keck School of Medicine and chairman of the state’s Carcinogen Identification Committee.