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At room temperature acetaldehyde (ethanal) is a flammable, colourless gas with a fruity odour. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the world health organisation classified acetaldehyde as a Class 1 toxin (human carcinogen) [2]. Acetaldehyde is an aldehyde that is highly reactive and toxic, causing damage at the cellular and genomic levels. The main source of the exposure of the general public to this toxin is through consumption of alcohol. In vivo, ethanol is predominantly metabolised to acetaldehyde. However, there are many natural and manufactured sources of acetaldehyde and even those who are teetotal are exposed to this carcinogen. The development of cancer is a multifactorial process in which acetaldehyde has an important role. However, exposure to acetaldehyde and therefore risk of the associated cancers is affected by a complex matrix of behavioural, dietary and genetic factors. Despite the widespread prevalence of acetaldehyde, exposure to the toxin can be limited. For example, potential public health measures to reduce acetaldehyde exposure include reduction of smoking and alcohol consumption. For such measures to be effective it is important to concurrently sensitise the general public to the potential adverse effects of acetaldehyde. |
