Lung Cancer

Cancer Chemicals Reach Nonsmoking Housemates
Chemicals associated with lung cancer reach a five- to six-fold higher concentration in women who live with smokers than in those who live with nonsmokers. Researchers analyzed the urine of 23 nonsmoking women exposed to their husbands' cigarette smoke, finding elevated levels of compounds called NNAL and NNAL-Gluc, both metabolic products of NNK, a known carcinogen. The women showed higher levels of nicotine as well.

Previous studies have linked secondhand smoke and lung cancer. This study, appearing in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, is the first to provide biochemical support of the observation.

Anderson KE, Carmella SG, Ye M, et al. Metabolites of a tobacco-specific lung carcinogen in nonsmoking women exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2001;93:378-81.

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