Search resultsThe contribution of acetaldehyde from alcohol to cancer: A review and exposure estimate for Germany
Aims: The consumption of alcoholic beverages has been identified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We aim to summarize the evidence on acetaldehyde as the main mechanism underlying this relation, because humans are exposed to acetaldehyde both through ingestion of acetaldehyde present in alcoholic beverages and acetaldehyde produced through ethanol metabolism. Methods: A literature review of alcohol, acetaldehyde and cancer was used as input for a risk assessment for acetaldehyde derived from alcohol consumption for Germany. Results: There is increasing evidence that acetaldehyde is carcinogenic. Risk assessment scenarios were below the 1:10,000 lifetime risk for cancer threshold (average scenario 8/10,000; extreme scenario 4/1,000), which is considered public health relevant. Conclusion: Acetaldehyde exposure from alcohol alone warrants interventions based on the precautionary principle of public health. It is recommended that high alcohol consumption should be reduced and acetaldehyde levels in alcoholic beverages should be reduced as low as technologically possible, along with the implementation of maximum limits.