The objective of the Handbooks program is the preparation of critical reviews and evaluations of evidence on the cancer-preventive and other relevant properties of a wide range of potential cancer-preventive agents and strategies by international working groups of experts.In this volume on carotenoids their chemical and physical characteristics, occurrence, production, use, analysis and human exposure, metabolism, kinetics and genetic variation are studied, as well as their cancer-preventive effects, other beneficial effects, carcinogenicity and other toxic effects. A summary of data and recommendations for research are provided at the end.