Abstract 11: Carcinogenic Pesticides in Smokeless Tobacco in Uzbekistan

Abstract Purpose: Smokeless tobacco, particularly nasvay (naswar), is widely used in Uzbekistan. Despite its popularity, there is growing concern about its contamination with carcinogenic pesticides. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in smokeless tobacco products in Uzbekistan and to assess the associated health risks. Methods: We analyzed 25 nasvay samples of ground and granulated type (approximately 20 grams each) from six different regions of Uzbekistan. Pesticide residues were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) on 6890GC and 5973MSD (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) at Kyoto University. Quality control protocols, including certified reference standards, were followed. Risk assessments were conducted based on established cancer and non-cancer effects models, including exposure scenarios and demographics of nasvay users. Results: The analysis revealed significant levels of the organochlorine pesticides: pp-DDE, pp-DDD, pp-DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, hexachlorobenzene, toxaphene-P26, and toxaphene-P50 in several samples. Risk characterization revealed an increased lifetime cancer risk among frequent users and potential non- cancer health effects, particularly among adolescents and rural populations. Conclusion: In this study, we highlighted the cancer risks associated with pesticide contamination of smokeless tobacco products in Uzbekistan. Regulatory oversight and public awareness campaigns are urgently needed to reduce these risks and ensure the safer use of nasvay. Citation Format: Jasur Juraev, Lyu Zhaoqing, Fan Menglin, Ulugbek Mirzaev, Boburjon Mutalov, Shuxrat Shukurov, Rustam Yuldashev, Shomurod Rasulov4, Kouji Harada. Carcinogenic Pesticides in Smokeless Tobacco in Uzbekistan [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 11.