One of the most studied PAHs, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) can cause genotoxic changes to DNA. When BaP enters the body it will be processed by enzymes which will allow it to become water soluble. These water soluble forms of the BaP will be called epoxides. Epoxides are good at binding to DNA and creating the bulky adducts. When adducts remain attached, they generally form in the lungs, mouth, and bladder for smoking-induced cancers. 

Benzo[a]pyrene 

Many of the carcinogens that are found in tobacco smoke can also be found in grilled foods, engine exhaust, and the general environment. There are certain tobacco specific PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and N-nitrosamine, NNK (4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1- butanone). 


State University of New York at Stony Brook

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
,N-nitrosamines
,aldehydes
,volatile organic hydrocarbons and metals



Common Carcinogen Classes in Tobacco

Matthew Tontonoz Friday, D. 7. (2018, December 07). How Do Cigarettes Cause Cancer? Retrieved from https://www.mskcc.org/news/how-do-cigarettes-cause-cancer


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