Tobacco Documents Online

Accuses EPA of manipulating data and "ignoring classic criteria for cause-and-effect relationships employed by the scientific community" in developing its ETS risk assessment. Defines ETS as composed of mainstream and sidestream smoke and discusses the chemical "nature of ETS. In discussing ETS and dose-response relationships, states that "at some dose, every chemical is a potential poison." Examines formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, benzo[a]pyrene and nicotine as a few of the specific components of ETS. Opines that assessing the health risks of ETS is very difficult. Addresses relative risk and its magnitude, as employed in EPA's risk assessment. Concludes, "had the EPA not adjusted the original data, its analysis would not have had the same outcome." Includes list of selected readings, bibliography/summary of the studies used in the risk assessment, a list of papers discussed in the assessment, and a list of "new papers."

Presents extensive point-by-point commentary on EPA document [appears to be risk assessment] on ETS. Concludes that EPA has not proven that ETS has a carcinogenic effect and "therefore, the impact of an exercise as the relative potency approach for deriving E.T.S. dose/response models to predict conditions of human exposure could only be misleading or, in the best hypothesis useless."

Presents highlights of ETS Division for the week of October 08, 1990. Report includes studies of ETS exposure, evaluation of air cleaning devices, statements regarding ETS on buses, indoor air quality at the Ronald McDonald House, nicotine, VOC analysis, ETS biological activity study, nitrate and nitrites in ETS, benzo[a]pyrene analysis of sidestream smoke, RJR response to EPA workplace smoking guide, and survey of ETS exposure in married nonsmoking women.

Offers remarks regarding U.S study finding that bezoapyrene may attack the tumor suppressor gene, p53. Opines that science is inconclusive but warrants further investaigation, Assures that BAT is as interested in the truth as anyone else, and continues to fund research accordingly. Briefly addresses Carter litigation claiming that BAT has concealed information from the public regarding smoking and health, denying allegations.

Summarizes findings of RJR paper examining the effect of smoking regime (FTC conditions versus 50ml puffs/2s/30s)on relative tar yield ranking of Eclipse versus conventional cigarettes. Reports that Eclipse's FTC tar category moves from Ultra Light Tar (ULT) to Low Tar (LT) when employing alternative regime, while conventional cigarettes maintain rank. States that shift is likely due to "increased heat generation from carbon pellet. . .which volatalises a disproportionately larger quantity to tobacco/glycerine." Notes that Eclipse smoke composition was unaffected by smoking regime as was spectrophotometric UV tar. Reports lower B(a)P, acetaldehyde, acrolein and TSNA yields for Eclipse than conventional cigarettes.

Thanks recipient for reference to benzopyrene and for "expert guidance." Opines that visit to Chief Medical Officer "will have a beneficial effect." Encloses meeting minutes from visit to Ministry of Health.

Argues that article in New Scientist on secondhand smoking is based on evidence that is "either demonstrably unsound or capable of alternative interpretation." Challenges statements regarding cigarette equivalents of exposure, reduced life expectation, benzpyrene and lung cancer, and children of smoking women.

Reviews and critiques published study concluding "that the pattern of future cancer incidence depends markedly on which stages of the cancer process are affected". Equates authors' conclusions to cancer risk formula derived by Lee "for analysis of the TRC stopping painting experiment". Summarizes findings on nine carcinogens, including "fraction G of smoke condensate T57". Observes "[c]igarette smoking in humans appears to affect late-stage transitions relatively more than early-stage transitions - similarly to fraction G in mice". Indicates "confidential".