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What are the chemicals in tar that are carcinogenic, and how do they cause cancer?

There are over 19 known chemicals in cigarettes that cause cancer. The most prominent of these are found in two groups: organic carcinogens and radioactive carcinogens.

The organic carcinogens include polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, acrolein, and nitrosamines. The radioactive carcinogens comprise lead-210 and polonium-210, both of which decay into other radioactive carcinogens.

The first and most prominent polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon identified was benzopyrene. Benzopyrene is metabolized into another chemical and permanently attaches to DNA, either killing the cell or leading to genetic mutation, which can transform it into a cancer cell.

A cancer cell doesn’t reproduce and die naturally, but reproduces rapidly and will replace cells in a tissue, organ, and, if left unchecked, an entire body system before killing the organism.

Acrolein, the other chemical, gives cigarette smoke its characteristic odor and is irritating to the nose and lungs. It also binds permanently to DNA.

Acrolein is 1000 times greater in cigarette smoke than benzopyrene.

Nitrosamines are a group of compounds found in cigarette smoke but not in uncured tobacco leaves. They form as a result of curing. Nitrosamines also are produced by some foods through grilling and frying, and there is a correlation between the amounts of certain foods (such as grilled red meats) that are eaten and incidence of colon cancer.

The radioactive elements in tobacco are a result of their natural exposure to minerals in the soil, so their content varies widely with the soil content. Whether or not these radioactive chemicals are found in sufficient quantities to cause cancer remains open to debate. Some researchers argue that they are of sufficient quantity to account for most of the lung cancer related to smoking.

Terms:

Benzopyrene - A class of antianxiety medications that include the drugs commonly known as Valium and Xanax.

Arcolein - Responsible for the gummy yellowish residue and acrid smell from burning cigarettes. It is considered carcinogenic and is toxic to the skin. It was used in chemical warfare during World War I.

Nitrosamines - Nitrosamines are found in many foods, including beer, fish, and also in meat and cheese products preserved with nitrite pickling salt. They are also produced from grilling and frying food as well as from burning tobacco.

Carcinogenic - in a wide variety of animal species, a feature suggesting that they may also be cancer-causing in humans

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