CHEMICAL AND RADIOACTIVE CARCINOGENS IN CIGARETTES: ASSOCIATED HEALTH IMPACTS AND RESPONSES OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, U.S. CONGRESS, AND FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES

摘要: ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were discovered in tobacco 1964. This was followed by detailed assessments of the nature their deposition, accompanying dose rates to lungs cigarette smokers. Subsequent studies revealed: (1) sources pathways through which they gain access tobacco; (2) mechanisms preferentially deposit key segments bronchial epithelium; (3) fact that alpha radiation plays a synergistic role combination with chemical carcinogens, increase fatal cancer risk coefficient smokers factor 8 25. Nonetheless, it not until 2009 Congress mandated Food Drug Administration require industry reveal presence these carcinogens. In meantime, smoking has become only number one source deaths United States, but also major contributor heart disease other health impacts. If latter effects are included, is estimated have caused an average 443,000 5.1 million years potential life lost among U.S. population each year from 2000 2004. The associated collective more than 36 times workers at all nuclear power plants, Department Energy weapons facilities, crews vessels Nuclear Navy. unnecessary lung demands utmost attention protection public professions.