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"IARC group 2B Carcinogens" reported in cigarette mainstream smoke
C J Smith1, T A Perfetti, M A Mullens
1Research & Development, Bowman Gray Technical Center, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Winston-Salem, NC 27102, USA.
Summary
This study reviews possible carcinogens in cigarette smoke. While removing them may not guarantee reduced harm, eliminating potential carcinogens is generally desirable.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Chemical Carcinogenesis
Background:
- Cigarette mainstream smoke contains numerous chemicals.
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies carcinogens based on evidence.
- This review focuses on IARC Group 2B carcinogens in cigarette smoke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and review IARC Group 2B "possible carcinogens" present in cigarette mainstream smoke.
- To assess the implications of these compounds in the context of cigarette smoke toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Literature search for IARC Group 2B carcinogens reported in cigarette mainstream smoke.
- Analysis of the presence and potential impact of these chemicals.
Main Results:
- Out of 227 IARC Group 2B "possible carcinogens," 48 have been identified in cigarette mainstream smoke.
- The complex mixture of cigarette smoke makes predicting the effect of removing individual components challenging.
Conclusions:
- Removal or inhibition of a single mutagenic or carcinogenic chemical may not reliably reduce overall smoke mutagenicity or carcinogenicity.
- Eliminating potential carcinogens is considered desirable in the absence of data showing increased adverse biological activity upon their removal.