On Tuesday, the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has unveiled that the insecticide lindane and DDT can cause cancer and have been especially associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The insecticide was once commonly used in agriculture and also to treat human lice and scabies. In the case of DDT, the agency said that it has scientific evidence that it can lead to testicular cancer and liver cancer as well.

The IARC's specialist panel has carried review of different agriculture chemicals. After reviewing them, they have decided to classify the insecticide as ‘carcinogenic to humans’ in its Group 1 category and the DDT as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’ in its Group 2A class. They have also decided to classify 2,4-D as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ in its Group 2B.

Since 2009, the insecticide has been banned or is restricted in many countries. But it can be used as a second-line treatment for lice and scabies. The agency said that the insecticide can increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 60%.

“This agricultural usage of lindane has been severely restricted starting in the 1970s and current general population exposure is mainly through the diet or when treated for scabies or lice”, stated Dr Kurt Straif, Head of the IARC.

Experts affirmed that its use is strictly banned in Britain. But there are chances that consumers might be exposed to it through foods imported from some developing countries. The findings published in the Lancet Oncology also unveiled that there is a strong evidence that the herbicide 2,4-D also leads to imbalance in the body known as oxidative stress.