New evidence of carcinogen in gas released by cigarette smoking

The gas in cigarette smoke may be the most harmful
because of the impacts on body cells, researchers warn.

The fact that cigarette smoke can cause cancer is not new, but researchers are starting to pinpoint exactly how the body reacts when confronted with thousands of chemicals and toxins in tobacco smoke.

In a new study, researchers found a key protein involved in cell function and regulation is stopped by a substance present in cigarette smoke.

The gaseous phase of cigarette smoke contains a cancer-causing agent called reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can inhibit normal cell function and almost completely stop a cell’s sodium pump.

A cell’s sodium pump is vital in the transportation of potassium into the cell and sodium out of the cell. If a cell cannot regulate sodium, it may be prone to damage, disease progression and lower chances of survival.

The researchers say that these findings show that it’s not the particles in cigarette smoke that do the most damage – it’s the gas with this agent that is sufficient to cause harm and that can be breathed in while standing near a smoker.

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 components, many of which have been linked to lung cancer.

Secondhand smoke is just as dangerous as primary smoke because of its impact on the cells of the body, researchers say.

They also stressed the importance of keeping children away from cigarette smoke.

The study is published online in the American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cell and Molecular Physiology.

Source: Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research

Remove smoke pollutants from indoor air

Anyone who has been around a smoker knows that the persistent odors and toxins from cigarette smoke tend to linger – not only on people’s hair, clothes and skin but also on the furniture, textiles, walls and other indoor surfaces.

The 5000 DS can handle
cigarette smoke and more.

Many air purifiers are unable to handle tobacco smoke and might get plugged up fairly easily.

AllerAir has developed portable and powerful air purifiers for tobacco smoke that can handle all challenges presented by cigarette smoke: Chemicals and odors, particles and tar.

AllerAir’s smoking air purifiers like the 5000 DS feature special tar-trapping pre-filters to prevent clogging and to prolong the main filters’ lifespan.

They also contain a deep-bed activated carbon filter to remove airborne chemicals, gases and odors that are present in tobaccos smoke. A HEPA filter completes the air purification system.

Contact AllerAir for more information.