Background
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH) when infiltrated within the body of humans and animals undergoes a series of chemically modified changes to form a number of metabolites that are known to elicit portentous and toxic effects (4). Benzo(a)pyrene has a chemical formula of C20H12 and is considered a Group 1 Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research and Cancer (IARC) (7, 11). It is composed of a cyclic structure and crystals appear to be pale yellow and needle like from benzene/methanol. It possesses a faint odor and the crystals of Benzo(a)pyrene may be mono-clinic or orthorhombic (4,e). BaP also has a very low solubility in water and to exert its effects, it must be bound to particle matter hence …show more content…
(c, 4, 7). In many parts of the world, smoked meat is very prevalent. It is one of the oldest food preservation technologies known to mankind. “Smoking is defined as the process of penetration of volatiles resulting from the thermal destruction of organic material such as wood into food products” (d). Pyrolysis of fats in the meat produces PAHs which is caused by indirect contact with the flame. The PAHs become deposited within the meats and pose health hazards. The health risks associated with how our food is cooked is one of the most critical issues we face in regards to food safety today …show more content…
Maternal smoking while pregnant remains relatively common but nonetheless hazardous in utero exposure despite the increase of knowledge and resources accessible explaining the potential deleterious effects that maternal smoking may cause (6). Despite our understanding of the damage caused by cigarette smoke, Hakansson et al. showed that 76% of smoking women continue to smoke during pregnancy. Negative influences of active and passive smoking are harmful to both the health of the woman and her unborn baby (8). Genotoxic effects of tobacco smoke upon newborns from mothers during pregnancy have been strongly suggested due to the correlation of tobacco-specific metabolites that have been apparent in fetal fluids and urine of fetuses and newborns (6). Maternal smoking can lead to many negative influences on reproduction such as conceiving problems, increased risk of preterm baby, higher risk of spontaneous abortions, risk of having low-birth length baby, risk of premature rupture of the membranes, placental previa, placental abruption and higher risk of perinatal mortality (8). Exposures to Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as Benzo(a)pyrene form phenolic products and reactive epoxides inducing the formation of PAH-DNA adducts. These PAH-DNA adducts
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH) when infiltrated within the body of humans and animals undergoes a series of chemically modified changes to form a number of metabolites that are known to elicit portentous and toxic effects (4). Benzo(a)pyrene has a chemical formula of C20H12 and is considered a Group 1 Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research and Cancer (IARC) (7, 11). It is composed of a cyclic structure and crystals appear to be pale yellow and needle like from benzene/methanol. It possesses a faint odor and the crystals of Benzo(a)pyrene may be mono-clinic or orthorhombic (4,e). BaP also has a very low solubility in water and to exert its effects, it must be bound to particle matter hence …show more content…
(c, 4, 7). In many parts of the world, smoked meat is very prevalent. It is one of the oldest food preservation technologies known to mankind. “Smoking is defined as the process of penetration of volatiles resulting from the thermal destruction of organic material such as wood into food products” (d). Pyrolysis of fats in the meat produces PAHs which is caused by indirect contact with the flame. The PAHs become deposited within the meats and pose health hazards. The health risks associated with how our food is cooked is one of the most critical issues we face in regards to food safety today …show more content…
Maternal smoking while pregnant remains relatively common but nonetheless hazardous in utero exposure despite the increase of knowledge and resources accessible explaining the potential deleterious effects that maternal smoking may cause (6). Despite our understanding of the damage caused by cigarette smoke, Hakansson et al. showed that 76% of smoking women continue to smoke during pregnancy. Negative influences of active and passive smoking are harmful to both the health of the woman and her unborn baby (8). Genotoxic effects of tobacco smoke upon newborns from mothers during pregnancy have been strongly suggested due to the correlation of tobacco-specific metabolites that have been apparent in fetal fluids and urine of fetuses and newborns (6). Maternal smoking can lead to many negative influences on reproduction such as conceiving problems, increased risk of preterm baby, higher risk of spontaneous abortions, risk of having low-birth length baby, risk of premature rupture of the membranes, placental previa, placental abruption and higher risk of perinatal mortality (8). Exposures to Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as Benzo(a)pyrene form phenolic products and reactive epoxides inducing the formation of PAH-DNA adducts. These PAH-DNA adducts