Dangerous Levels of DNA Exposure Found in Combination of Cigarette Smoke and Industrial Compounds
A new study has revealed that exposure to certain chemicals found in both cigarette smoke and industrial air pollution can lead to damage in our DNA. Scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) found that long-term exposure to both tobacco smoke and a common industrial compound called acrolein can lead to DNA damage in the form of methylation. Methylation is a process by which a cell can control gene expression, and when it goes wrong, it can lead to diseases such as cancer. The study is the first to link acrolein exposure with DNA damage, and it highlights the need to reduce exposure to both cigarette smoke and air pollutants from industry.
source: Phys.org