Eating, drinking, smoking and cancer prevention: A focus on acetaldehyde

Rajkumar Rajendram*, Roshanna Rajendram, Victor R. Preedy

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

At room temperature acetaldehyde (ethanal) is a flammable, colourless gas with a fruity odour. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the world health organisation classified acetaldehyde as a Class 1 toxin (human carcinogen) [2]. Acetaldehyde is an aldehyde that is highly reactive and toxic, causing damage at the cellular and genomic levels. The main source of the exposure of the general public to this toxin is through consumption of alcohol. In vivo, ethanol is predominantly metabolised to acetaldehyde. However, there are many natural and manufactured sources of acetaldehyde and even those who are teetotal are exposed to this carcinogen. The development of cancer is a multifactorial process in which acetaldehyde has an important role. However, exposure to acetaldehyde and therefore risk of the associated cancers is affected by a complex matrix of behavioural, dietary and genetic factors. Despite the widespread prevalence of acetaldehyde, exposure to the toxin can be limited. For example, potential public health measures to reduce acetaldehyde exposure include reduction of smoking and alcohol consumption. For such measures to be effective it is important to concurrently sensitise the general public to the potential adverse effects of acetaldehyde.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAntitumor Potential and other Emerging Medicinal Properties of Natural Compounds
PublisherSpringer Netherlands
Pages249-262
Number of pages14
ISBN (Print)9789400762145, 9400762135, 9789400762138
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2013

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Eating, drinking, smoking and cancer prevention: A focus on acetaldehyde'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this