Can A Single Exposure To A Carcinogenic Agent Cause Cancer?
Question: Hi,
This may seem like a strange question but I’m worried about possible exposure to carcinogens or other dangerous chemicals. Basically, I just moved into a new apartment, and there was a strong smell of cleaning supplies. I couldn’t get the smell to air out by using a fan and opening windows. I Googled searched the issue and found out that if you put lemon and salt in water, it absorbs the chemicals in the air. So I did this in a few bowls. Then I rinsed out the bowls. Note that I also live in a high pollution city and was hoping this lemon-salt water would absorb some of the pollution chemicals from that too.
Out of laziness, I don’t think I washed my hands after rinsing out the bowls. I’m not sure how much of the water actually touched my hands because I generally tried to avoid it and just let the sink rinse it out but some probably did. Then about ten min later I put my finger in my mouth to get a piece of food stuck in between my teeth out. Now, I’m worried that I might have put all the chemicals that had been absorbed in the bowl in my mouth, and that it could harm my health. This was 2 days ago and I’m not actually experiencing any health problems. I’m just worried I could have been exposed to chemicals (especially carcinogens) that would be bad long-term. Thanks for your input.
This may seem like a strange question but I’m worried about possible exposure to carcinogens or other dangerous chemicals. Basically, I just moved into a new apartment, and there was a strong smell of cleaning supplies. I couldn’t get the smell to air out by using a fan and opening windows. I Googled searched the issue and found out that if you put lemon and salt in water, it absorbs the chemicals in the air. So I did this in a few bowls. Then I rinsed out the bowls. Note that I also live in a high pollution city and was hoping this lemon-salt water would absorb some of the pollution chemicals from that too.
Out of laziness, I don’t think I washed my hands after rinsing out the bowls. I’m not sure how much of the water actually touched my hands because I generally tried to avoid it and just let the sink rinse it out but some probably did. Then about ten min later I put my finger in my mouth to get a piece of food stuck in between my teeth out. Now, I’m worried that I might have put all the chemicals that had been absorbed in the bowl in my mouth, and that it could harm my health. This was 2 days ago and I’m not actually experiencing any health problems. I’m just worried I could have been exposed to chemicals (especially carcinogens) that would be bad long-term. Thanks for your input.
Brief Answer:
no there is no such method described
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I understand your concerns.
First of all, I don't think lemon salt water absorbs carcinogens. It may absorb some odour and generate some good odour only. So the assumption that the bowl contained carcinogens, some of which touched you and later entered your mouth is too far fetched.
Even then, carcinogenesis is a long drawn process and requires repeated exposure to carcinogen over long time. So theoretically, one exposure is harmless.
Overall, I don't any great reason for worry.
Hope this helps.
Regards
no there is no such method described
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I understand your concerns.
First of all, I don't think lemon salt water absorbs carcinogens. It may absorb some odour and generate some good odour only. So the assumption that the bowl contained carcinogens, some of which touched you and later entered your mouth is too far fetched.
Even then, carcinogenesis is a long drawn process and requires repeated exposure to carcinogen over long time. So theoretically, one exposure is harmless.
Overall, I don't any great reason for worry.
Hope this helps.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar