Carcinogens in Cigarette Smoke is More Than in Noodles
Carcinogens in Cigarette Smoke is More Than in Noodles Press Release : Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TRC) Date : 9 November 2014 Release date : For Immediate Release
Prof. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit, the Executive Secretary of ASH Thailand revealed that according to recent news, there is a carcinogen (Benzo (a) Pyrene) contaminating seasoning powder of instant noodles imported from Korea. This carcinogen is one of dozens of carcinogens found in cigarette smoke.
Scientists were able to produce lung cancer in mice as trial animals by allowing mice to inhale cigarette smoke in an experiment in 1972. However, scientists have not been able to produce lung cancer in mice by feeding them contaminated food with this carcinogen. Research conducted in 1999 found 9 nanograms of this carcinogen (Benzo (a) Pyrene) in one cigarette roll weighing 1 gram, or 9 micrograms per kilogram. Besides finding the carcinogen Benzo (a) Pyrene, cigarette smoke also contains at least 69 other carcinogens according to a report to the US Congress in 2010.
Exposure to cigarette smoke increases risks for over ten cancers such as Oral cancer, Throat cancer and Laryngeal cancer, Tracheal cancer and Lung cancer, Esophageal cancer, Gastric cancer, Leukemia, Pancreatic cancer, Kidney cancer, Bladder cancer, and Cervical cancer in women. Organs have these cancers because organs experience exposure to carcinogens in tobacco smoke by: (1) direct exposure (such as by the mouth, throat and larynx, esophagus, stomach, trachea and lung), (2) exposure via blood such as with leukemia, pancreatic and cervical cancer, and (3) exposure to carcinogens filtered and excreted by the kidneys and bladder.
Smoking and smoke exposure are the cause of cancers in many parts of the human body. In 2008, the number of people worldwide losing their lives was 7.6 million with 1,672,000 people (22%) of this number losing their lives through tobacco use. For Thailand, the number of Thai people losing their lives from cancer caused by cigarette smoking in 2009 was 18,041 people with cigarette smoking responsible for cancers in 34.35% of males and 10% of females. Quitting smoking and avoiding cigarette exposure from smokers are the best methods to prevent cancers. For smokers who have not yet quit smoking, they should not smoke in the presence of other people in order to prevent harms to the health of others.
Request additional information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit, Action on Smoking and Health Foundation (ASH Thailand) Tel.: 0-2278-1828 / 08-1822-9799
