Bisulfite induced P53 gene mutation of G:C--->A:T Probably leading to lung cancer Partial Explanation of one Cancer Increased in Pulp industry Communities. Jan 18 2013 Jorma Jyrkkanen

Bisulfite induced P53 gene mutation of G:C--->A:T Probably leading to lung cancer Partial Explanation of one Cancer Common in pulp industry? Jorma's News Old Story Monica Hollstein et al. (1991) mentioned that the most common mutation in lung cancer in the P53 gene is G:C--->A:T (found in 46% of small cell lung cancers and 57% of non-small cell lung cancers). A reference of hers and others of interest http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2827900/. While conducting a pulp mill air emissions health effects literature review for the Al-Pac hearings in Alberta, I found a reference to bisulfite ion ie. sulfur dioxide SO2 transforms into bisulfite ion HSO3- in T4RII Phage causing G:C--->A:T mutations (Lawrence Fishbein, 1976, Atmospheric Mutagens. 1. Suflur Oxides Plus Nitrogen Oxides. Mutation Research (32):309-330.). Fishbein reports that bisulfite was mutagenic to viruses, bacteria and plants, and that it was a moderately strong mutagen. Low levels increased chromatid aberrations and fragments,laggards, and micronuclei were often observed. Clumping at 5 ppm inhibited mitosis. Here is a mutagen that inhibits mitosis but is linked to cancer. Here is the Fishbein reference hidden from the poor of the world behind a $31.50 Paywall. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/016511107690004X Sulfur dioxide depressed DNA synthesis and growth and increased abnormalities in human lymphocytes [HeLa Cells]. In the mouse, Ewe, and Cow Oocytes, the alterations resulted in transmitted genetic disorders. Fragmentation, rearrangements, anaphase laggards, all led to aneuploidies {altered chromosome numbers} resulting in fetal losses and congenital abnormalities. The mammalian mutations are noteworthy and raise the flag for humans on potential similar effects. I would suspect that these pollutants abilities do not stop here and could probably account for many more illnesses. Do we have here an almost complete environmental explanation of a genetic change leading to cancer in humans? After reading the two articles I proclaimed that bisulfite was involved in causing lung cancer. I had not seen the link made previously. In retrospect (2013) it has been found that frank carcinogens can cause single step carcinogenesis while multiple defects and mutations are involved in cases where weaker carcinogens are involved. Because this mutation is involved in less than 100% of lung cancers bisulfite likely falls into the multiple mutation carcinogenesis. IARC lists bisulfite as a Class 3 carcinogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_3_carcinogens). CDC does not list it (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/cancer/npotocca.html). I was therefore wrong in proclaiming bisulfite causes cancer because it now seems more likely it is just one step in the sequence of defects leading to cancer. The ramifications for carcinogen management and regulation are more clear however. Mutagens must be regarded as carcinogens because any one of them can be the one that causes the final mutation leading to cancer, ie the straw that breaks the camels back. Copyright 1991 Jorma Jyrkkanen. All rights reserved.