GENETIC TOXICOLOGY OF TOBACCO : A REVIEW
B. T. SARITHA *
Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500 007
Y. R. AHUJA *
Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500 007
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Long term exposure to cigarette smoking has an adverse effect on the longevity of man’s life. Even passive smoking has an equally bad effect on non-smokers who are exposed to it.
Investigations on the interaction of tobacco smoke with several physical, chemical and biological agents are indicative of synergistic effect in cancer promotion. Detailed studies on interaction of tobacco smoke with occupational exposures like those in radiologists, uranium miners, cotton industry workers, plastic industry workers, rubber industry workers, plastic industry workers, rubber industry workers (they are also exposed to a bladder carcinogen-benzidine) and farmers exposed to agricultural chemicals are urgently needed.