Consider the following statements 1. Cigarette smoking exposes a person to benzene. 2. Benzene is a known carcinogen. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Cigarette smoking is a significant source of benzene exposure. Mainstream cigarette smoke contains benzene, and it is estimated that tobacco smoke accounts for approximately half of the total population exposure to benzene in the United States [t1][t2][t5]. Smokers inhale significantly higher amounts of benzene compared to non-smokers, with studies indicating that 90 percent of a smoker's benzene exposure comes directly from smoking [t4][t5]. Furthermore, benzene is scientifically classified as a known human carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) categorizes benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence of its carcinogenicity in humans [t6][t7]. Exposure to benzene is specifically linked to an increased risk of developing leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and other blood-related disorders [t5][t6]. Therefore, both statements regarding exposure through smoking and its carcinogenic nature are correct.

Sources

1. [1] https://publications.iarc.who.int/_publications/media/download/6035/e3ea2e21e31c3783972da57ed38d3b70236f97b4.pdf
2. [2] https://downloads.regulations.gov/EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0357-0051/attachment_1.pdf
3. [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK591300/
4. [4] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/benzene
5. [5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268960X20300862