Carcinogens Found in Water Pipe Smoking May Increase Risk for Cancer
Carcinogens Found in Water Pipe Smoking May Increase Risk for Cancer
Researchers investigating the effects of water pipe smoking on the health of young adults have found elevated levels of nicotine, cotinine, tobacco-related cancer-causing agents, and volatile organic compounds, including benzene and acrolein, in the urine of users. Given the significant intake of nicotine and carcinogens, chronic water pipe use could put users at an increased risk for cancer and other chronic diseases, reported the researchers. The study by St. Helen et al is published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Key Points:
- Water pipe smoking raised levels of nicotine, cotinine, tobacco-related carcinogens, and volatile organic compounds, including benzene and acrolein, in young adult users.
- After a single session of water pipe smoking, study volunteers had a 73-fold increase in nicotine, a fourfold increase in cotinine, twofold increase in NNAL, and a 14% to 91% increase in the breakdown products of volatile organic compounds.
- Given the significant intake of nicotine and carcinogens, chronic water pipe use could put users at an increased risk for cancer and other chronic diseases.
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