Lung cancer: is the increasing incidence due to radioactive polonium in cigarettes

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · South. Med. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-198602000-00004· OSTI ID:5268742

Marmorstein, J

This paper presents clinical, experimental, and epidemiologic evidence to help explain the rapidly increasing incidence of primary lung cancer, with recently observed reversal in leading cell type from squamous cell to adenocarcinoma. It postulates that this may be due to changes in modern cigarettes, with or without filters, which allow inhalation of increased amounts of radioactive lead and polonium and decreased amounts of benzopyrene. This hypothesis is based upon measurements of increased concentrations of radioactive polonium in the lungs of cigarette smokers, in modern tobaccos grown since 1950, and in high-phosphate fertilizers used for tobacco farming in industrialized countries. Critical support for this thesis is based upon experimental animal studies in which lung cancers that resemble adenocarcinomas are induced with as little as 15 rads of radioactive polonium, equal to one fifth the dosage inhaled by cigarette smokers who average two packs a day during a 25-year period.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Southern California College of Medicine, Santa Barbara
• OSTI ID: 5268742
• Journal Information: South. Med. J.; (United States), Journal Name: South. Med. J.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN SMJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALPHA PARTICLES
ANIMALS
BODY
CARCINOMAS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CONTAMINATION
DISEASES
ETIOLOGY
FERTILIZERS
HAMSTERS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
ISOTOPES
LEAD ISOTOPES
LUNGS
MAMMALS
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
POLONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIOACTIVITY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
TOBACCO
VERTEBRATES