{"id":22115,"date":"2022-05-17T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T12:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=22115"},"modified":"2023-11-01T13:58:48","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T17:58:48","slug":"study-suggests-bong-smoke-is-more-carcinogenic-than-tobacco-smoke-but-questions-remain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/study-suggests-bong-smoke-is-more-carcinogenic-than-tobacco-smoke-but-questions-remain\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Suggests Bong Smoke Is More Carcinogenic Than Tobacco Smoke, but Questions Remain"},"content":{"rendered":"

A recent study<\/a> suggests that secondhand cannabis smoke has \u201cseveral hundred toxic chemicals, carcinogens and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), many at higher concentrations than tobacco smoke.\u201d The study claims to be the first to measure PM2.5 levels from social bong smoking. However, there are some issues with the study that are causing concern over its validity and reliability. Let\u2019s have a look.<\/p>\n

The Dangers of Smoking<\/h2>\n

The research team categorized the harms associated with smoking into three classifications: PM2.5, carcinogens, and toxic chemicals. Before we dive into the study itself, it’s important to understand these categories.<\/p>\n

What Is PM<\/b>2.5<\/b>?<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, is described as \u201can air pollutant that is a concern for people\u2019s health when levels in the air are high.\u201d The New York State Department of Health<\/a> explains that PM2.5 causes reduced visibility and makes the air look hazy. The danger of exposure to fine particulate matter lies in the fact that these particles are able to \u201ctravel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs,\u201d which can then cause lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, worsening lung function, and even worsening conditions such as asthma and heart disease. PM2.5 can be found outside and indoors through the likes of exhausts, forest fires, tobacco smoking, burning candles, etc.<\/p>\n

What Are Carcinogens?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer and can be found in a host of places, from the air to foods and even products you use. WebMD explains that<\/a> substances undergo various testing and research in order to determine whether they should be classified as carcinogens. WebMD also explains that there are at least 70 chemicals in tobacco smoke that are known to cause cancer, making it one of the most common and potent carcinogens.<\/p>\n

What Are the Toxic Chemicals Associated With Smoking?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The American Cancer Society explains<\/a> that some of the toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke include nicotine, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, ammonia, radioactive elements such as polonium-210, benzene carbon monoxide, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Most of these toxic chemicals have been associated with causing cancer, but it is important to recognize that most of these toxins are the result of burning tobacco leaves as opposed to being contained within the leaves before combustion.<\/p>\n

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The Study<\/b><\/h2>\n

Now that you have a better understanding of the three classifications of harm associated with smoking used in the study, let\u2019s have a look at the study’s methods that ultimately led to the conclusion that cannabis is associated with higher levels of carcinogens, toxic chemicals, and PM2.5 than tobacco. The study was published in the JAMA Network Open on March 30, 2022, and was conducted by Patton Khuu Nguyen and S. Katharine Hammond from the University of California.<\/p>\n

The study begins by explaining that one minute of secondhand cannabis smoke (SHCS) can cause endothelial dysfunction in rats, like secondhand tobacco smoke (SHTS). Endothelial dysfunction is described as<\/a> \u201ca type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in which there are no heart artery blockages, but the large blood vessels on the heart’s surface constrict (narrow) instead of dilating (opening).\u201d The researchers found that smoking cannabis in bongs significantly increased PM2.5 by 100-fold to 1000-fold for 6 to 8 sessions and that cannabis bong smoking \u201cin the home generated 4 times greater PM2.5 concentrations than cigarette or tobacco hookah (waterpipe) smoking.\u201d<\/p>\n

In order to get to those findings, the researchers measured the levels of PM2.5 before, during, and after cannabis social-smoking sessions in one household living room, but it was deemed \u201cnot human participants research.\u201d Since this study did not involve interaction or intervention with living individuals, the University of California waived the review. The researchers made use of an aerosol monitor and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) reporting guidelines in order to assess the statistical difference between PM2.5 concentrations before and during smoking.<\/p>\n

Sarah Cuschieri explains that the STROBE guidelines<\/a> were created as a means of aiding authors to ensure the high-quality presentation of the conducted observational study. Cuschieri goes on to explain that this guideline consists of 22 checklist items that the author needs to fulfill before submitting the manuscript to a journal. Cuschieri clarifies its purpose by stating that it does \u201cnot act as a validation tool for the conducted study or as a framework to conduct an observational study on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Further Results<\/h3>\n

The researchers explain that they measured fine particulate matter in the small living room by assessing the amount of PM2.5 contractions against the background levels (conditions existing before smoking began). Their recorded measurements of PM2.5 contractions are as follows:<\/p>\n