Many toxic agents, whether they are environmental pollutants, industrial chemicals, or naturally occurring compounds, can induce DNA damage that is addressed by NER. For instance, exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are found in tobacco smoke and grilled meats, leads to the formation of bulky adducts on DNA. These adducts are typically repaired by NER. Similarly, UV radiation, a common environmental hazard, causes the formation of thymine dimers, which are also substrates for NER.
