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Polonium and Lung Cancer
Joint Authors
Lygidakis, Charilaos
Gattavecchia, Enrico
Chaouachi, Kamal
Zagà, Vincenzo
Source
Issue
Vol. 2011, Issue 2011 (31 Dec. 2011), pp.1-11, 11 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2011-06-23
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
11
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
The alpha-radioactive polonium 210 (Po-210) is one of the most powerful carcinogenic agents of tobacco smoke and is responsible for the histotype shift of lung cancer from squamous cell type to adenocarcinoma.
According to several studies, the principal source of Po-210 is the fertilizers used in tobacco plants, which are rich in polyphosphates containing radio (Ra-226) and its decay products, lead 210 (Pb-210) and Po-210.
Tobacco leaves accumulate Pb-210 and Po-210 through their trichomes, and Pb-210 decays into Po-210 over time.
With the combustion of the cigarette smoke becomes radioactive and Pb-210 and Po-210 reach the bronchopulmonary apparatus, especially in bifurcations of segmental bronchi.
In this place, combined with other agents, it will manifest its carcinogenic activity, especially in patients with compromised mucous-ciliary clearance.
Various studies have confirmed that the radiological risk from Po-210 in a smoker of 20 cigarettes per day for a year is equivalent to the one deriving from 300 chest X-rays, with an autonomous oncogenic capability of 4 lung cancers per 10000 smokers.
Po-210 can also be found in passive smoke, since part of Po-210 spreads in the surrounding environment during tobacco combustion.
Tobacco manufacturers have been aware of the alpha-radioactivity presence in tobacco smoke since the sixties.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Zagà, Vincenzo& Lygidakis, Charilaos& Chaouachi, Kamal& Gattavecchia, Enrico. 2011. Polonium and Lung Cancer. Journal of Oncology،Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-504046
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Zagà, Vincenzo…[et al.]. Polonium and Lung Cancer. Journal of Oncology No. 2011 (2011), pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-504046
American Medical Association (AMA)
Zagà, Vincenzo& Lygidakis, Charilaos& Chaouachi, Kamal& Gattavecchia, Enrico. Polonium and Lung Cancer. Journal of Oncology. 2011. Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-11.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-504046
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-504046