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Posted on May 16, 2014, 6 a.m.
One particular compound present in the invisible remains of cigarette smoke may cling to DNA to potentially cause cancer.
“Thirdhand smoke” – the invisible remains of cigarette smoke that deposit on carpeting, clothing, furniture and other surfaces are implicated in organ damage, behavioral issues, and more. Bo Hang, from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL; California, USA), and colleagues report that one particular compound of thirdhand smoke damages DNA and sticks to it in a way that could potentially cause cancer. NNA, a tobacco-specific nitrosamine, locks onto DNA to form a bulky adduct (a piece of DNA bound to a cancer-causing chemical), as well as other adducts, in lab test tubes. Other large compounds that attach to DNA tend to cause genetic mutations. NNA also breaks the DNA about as often as a related compound called NNK, which is a well-studied byproduct of nicotine and a known potent carcinogen. This kind of DNA damage can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of cancerous tumors. The study authors warn that the biggest potential health risk is for babies and toddlers: as they crawl and put their hands or toys in their mouths, they could touch, swallow or inhale compounds from third-hand smoke. Their small size and early developmental stage make them more vulnerable than adults to the effects of environmental hazards.
Hang B. “NNA, a thirdhand smoke constituent, induces DNA damage in vitro and in human cells.” Presented at the 247th Annual Conference of the American Chemical Society, 16 March 2014.
