Chemicals In Cigarette Smoke

 

There are 2 kinds of smoke with cigarettes; first hand and second hand. First hand smoke is the smoke that the smoker inhales when puffing on a cigarette. Second hand smoke is the smoke that the smoker exhales and it's also the smoke coming from the end of the burning cigarette. You'd think that the first hand smoke is worse than the smoker's exhaled smoke, but that is not the case. According to the EPA, exhaled smoke is much more concentrated. In fact, secondhand smoke contains twice as much nicotine and tar, and 5 time as much carbon monoxide. BChealthguide.com states that second hand smoke contains over 4000 chemicals and over 100 chemical agents.

 

Here is a list of some of the most notorious chemicals found inside secondhand smoke.

BENZENE (1)

-associated with leukemia
-used in synthetic rubber
-alone, can lead to anemia

FORMALDEHYDE (2)

-embalming fluid
-used to preserve dead bodies
-causes cancer, respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal problems
-eye, nose, throat irritation

AMMONIA (5)

-toilet cleaner
-most addictive substance known to man

ACETONE (3)

-nail polish remover
-hair rinse before shampooing
-can dissolve plastics

CARBON MONOXIDE (5)

-car exhaust fumes
-fatal in large amounts

ARSENIC (5)

-rat poison

HYDROGEN CYANIDE (4)

-gas chamber poison
-alone, can cause conjunctivitis

VARIOUS PESTICIDES

-weed killer
-insect killer

 

Terry Martin, an atmospheric researcher, compiled a list of all the 599 additives in second hand smoke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene >

(2)<http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html>

(3)<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone>

(4)<http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/hydrogencyanide/recognition.html >