What's in a Cigarette?

The quick answer, you've probably heard before

Over 4000 chemicals. Over 60 of which are carcinogenic. Think about that as being like a can of coke - you look at the ingredients list to see a very long list of 4000 E-numbers - 60 of which are in red because they are cancer causing. Would you drink 20 cans a day?

The illustrated answer

The technical answer

Below are a sample of some of the chemicals found in cigarettes. Click on one to learn how it affects you.

AMMONIA	HYDROGEN CYANIDE
1,3-BUTADIENE	HYDROQUINONE
1-AMINONAPHTHALENE	ISOPRENE
2-AMINONAPHTHALENE	LEAD
3-AMINOBIPHENYL	METHYL ETHYL KETONE
4-AMINOBIPHENYL	NAT
ACETALDEHYDE	NICKEL
ACETONE	NICOTINE
ACROLEIN	NITRIC OXIDE
ACRYLONITRILE	NNK
BENZENE	NNN
BENZO[a]PYRENE	PHENOL
BUTYRALDEHYDE	PROPIONALDEHYDE
CADMIUM	PYRIDINE
CARBON MONOXIDE	QUINOLINE
CATECHOL	RESORCINOL
CHROMIUM	STYRENE
CRESOL	TAR
CROTONALDEHYDE	TOLUENE
FORMALDEHYDE

This information has been used with kind permission of the authors at Physicians for a Smoke Free Canada.

Ammonia possesses a sharp, irritating odor detectable as low as 1 ppm.
At high concentrations, ammonia causes intense irritation, severe eye damage, and asthma.

2-AMINONAPHTHALENE

2-aminonaphthalene causes cancer in humans.
There is no safe exposure limit for 2-aminonaphthalene.
Absorption of 2-aminonaphthalene occurs both by inhalation and through the skin.
Because it causes cancer, the industrial use of 2-aminonaphthalene is restricted or banned.

1-AMINONAPHTHALENE

1-aminonaphthalene has been shown to cause lung, liver and leukemia cancers in animals.
1-aminonaphthalene may cause cancer in humans.
1-aminonaphthalene has been shown to have moderate toxicity in fish.
Absorption occurs both by inhalation and through the skin.
Absorption through the skin may occur without a sense of irritation or other warning.
The main industrial uses of 1-aminonaphthalene include dyes, rubber, and weed control.

4-AMINOBIPHENYL

4-aminobiphenyl is confirmed to cause cancer in humans.
The carcinogenic nature of 4-aminobiphenyl has been known since at least 1974.
This chemical has been called 'one of the most potent known bladder carcinogens'.
There is no known safe level of 4-aminobiphenyl.
Absorption occurs through the skin.
4-aminobiphenyl is no longer produced on a commercial scale for use in industry.

3-AMINOBIPHENYL

3-aminobiphenyl is a mutagen, and causes mutation in microorganisms.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is suspected to cause cancer in humans.
There is a significant correlation between B[a]P exposure and lung cancer mortality.
B[a]P was found to cause cancer in animals and fish in every study to date.
Animal studies showed that as low a dose as 0.05 mg B[a]P caused tumors.
B[a]P deposits in the lung. Elimination of B[a]P from the lung is severely restricted by cigarette smoking.
Cancer is more likely to occur with repeated B[a]P exposures than with a single dose of the same amount.
B[a]P exposure may also cause skin cancer, dermatitis, photoallergy, non-neoplastic respiratory disease and emphysema.
Exposure to B[a]P results in decreased reproductive capacity for both males and females.
Absorption of B[a]P also occurs through the skin.

Formaldehyde is suspected to cause cancer in humans.
Formaldehyde occurs naturally at 0.12 to 0.38 parts per BILLION [ppb]. Sidestream smoke increases this by 0.23 to 0.27 parts per MILLION [ppm] (a 1000+ increase).
Long-term exposure at levels greater than 0.1 ppm appears to be a risk for cancers of the lung, pharynx, buccal cavity, liver, bone, skin, prostate gland, bladder, kidney and eye, leukemia and Hodgkin's disease.
Animal studies showed formaldehyde is an irritant to eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and causes cellular changes in the upper respiratory tract, a decrease in respiratory rate, and adversely affects the liver.
Formaldehyde exposure greater than 0.22 ppm is linked to respiratory symptoms such as cough, phlegm, chronic bronchitis, asthma, shortness of breath and chest colds.
Formaldehyde is known to produce allergic reactions and induction of asthma-like conditions, lightheadedness, dizziness, diminished dexterity, itching eyes, dry and sore throats, disturbed sleep, unusual thirst, and malignant disease in humans.
Human eyes are sensitive to formaldehyde at concentrations of 0.01 ppm, and are irritated by formaldehyde at concentrations of 0.05 to 0.5 ppm.
The main uses of formaldehyde in industry include fertilizer, dyes, disinfectants, germicides, preservatives, and embalming fluid.

Studies have shown that acetaldehyde causes cancer in animals, and may cause cancer in humans.
Small amounts of acetaldehyde irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract of humans and animals.
Animal studies in which pregnant rats were exposed to acetaldehyde found that acetaldehyde interfered with the exchange of nutrients from the mother to the placenta, resulting in growth retardation, malformation, delayed bone growth and death of the fetus.
Acetaldehyde may increase the absorption of the other hazardous chemicals in tobacco smoke into the bronchial tubes.
The main industrial uses of acetaldehyde include silvering of mirrors, leather tanning, fuel, glue, dyes, plastics and synthetic rubbers.
Acetaldehyde decomposition products include carbon monoxide.

Acetone is an irritant to eyes, nose and throat.
Acetone irritates, dries, and may burn skin.
Absorption occurs both via inhalation and through the skin.
Higher doses can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, damage to the liver and kidneys.

Acrolein has not been found to cause cancer. However, in the body, acrolein produces glycidaldehyde which does cause cancer.
Long term inhalation studies on animals found that acrolein causes emphysema and inflammation of the lung, liver and kidney.
Acrolein is intensely irritating to the eyes and upper respiratory tract in human and animals. Acrolein is 5 times stronger an irritant than formaldehyde, acetaldehyde or crotonaldehyde (all of which are found in tobacco smoke).
The main industrial uses of acrolein include polyurethane manufacture, polyester resins, herbicides and tear gas.

PROPIONALDEHYDE

Inhalation of propionaldehyde causes severe irritation of the respiratory system.
Propionaldehyde causes irritation to skin and eyes.

Crotonaldehyde is known to cause cancer in animals.
Crotonaldehyde causes cancer by interfering with DNA function (a genotoxic carcinogen).
Crotonaldehyde is a fast-acting (within seconds) irritant to the nose and upper respiratory tract.
The main use of crotonaldehyde in industry is as a warning agent in fuel gases.

METHYL ETHYL KETONE

Methyl ethyl ketone causes nose, throat, and eye irritation in humans at moderate levels.
The odor of methyl ethyl ketone is detectable at 10 ppm.
The main uses of methyl ethyl ketone in industry include solvents, resins, artificial leather, rubbers, lacquers, varnishes and glues.

Butyraldehyde is an irritant to eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
Higher doses of butyraldehyde causes dizziness and lightheadedness, and may burn skin.
The main industrial uses of butyraldehyde include resins, solvents and plasticizers.

HYDROGEN CYANIDE

Hydrogen cyanide causes nasal irritation, confusion, headache, dizziness, weakness and nausea in humans at moderate doses.
At higher doses, hydrogen cyanide causes asthenia, vertigo, loss of weight and gastrointestinal problems.
The main uses of hydrogen cyanide in industry include fumigation, as an insecticide, electroplating, metallurgy and photography.

Inhalable, insoluble nickel is confirmed to cause cancer in humans.
Up to 5% of the general population are sensitized (allergic) to nickel.
Nickel inhalation increases the risk of cancer or of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Exposure to inhalable nickel may result in chronic irritation of the upper respiratory tract or bronchial asthma.
Nickel inhalation exposure increases susceptibility to respiratory infection, allergic contact dermatitis, and pulmonary edema.
The main uses of nickel in industry include production of stainless steel, alloys, electroplating, coinage, and alkaline batteries.

Lead is known to cause cancer in animals.
Lead may cause cancer in humans.
Lead is toxic, and soluble in body fluids when inhaled.
Lead interacts with enzymes, especially those associated with heme synthesis (blood).
Absorption of low levels of lead causes an increase in blood pressure in humans.
Lead causes anemia at blood levels above 80 ug/dl.
Lead poisoning effects on the brain may not be reversible.
Long term exposure to lead may lead to kidney disease.
Lead is a possible Reproductive Toxin.
Lead may affect sperm formation (at greater than 11.9 ug/dl blood lead).
Lead exposure affects the development of fetuses. Children who were exposed to blood lead levels of greater than 10 ug/dl in the womb have been found to have developmental effects such as depressed intellectual development.
Air to blood lead levels: 0.03 to 0.19 ug/dl blood per mg/m3 of lead in air.
The main uses of lead in industry include alloys (solder, bronze, brass), paint pigments, storage batteries, glass, plastics, ceramics.

Cadmium is confirmed to cause cancer in humans.
Cadmium primarily targets the kidneys.
Chronic cadmium exposure is linked to gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia, rhinitis, discoloration of teeth, microfractures, pulmonary emphysema and kidney disease.
The main industrial uses of cadmium include metal coatings, bearings, reactor control rods, storage batteries, television phosphors, semiconductors, pigments, and dry film lubricants.

Cr VI compounds are recognized to cause cancer.
Cr VI compounds can easily pass into the cell through the cell membrane.
Cr VI compounds are sensitizers, and can therefore induce an allergic reaction in some individuals.

Nitric oxide reacts with haemoglobin to hinder oxygen uptake in the blood.
Nitric oxide reacts with haemoglobin 1400 times more effectively than carbon monoxide reacts with haemoglobin.
The toxicity of nitric oxide when combined with carbon monoxide (also in tobacco smoke) is additive.

Pyridine vapour causes eye and upper respiratory tract irritation in humans.
Exposure to pyridine results in an increased production of blood platelets.
Longer duration exposure to pyridine causes nausea, headache, insomnia, nervousness, and abdominal discomfort in humans.
The disagreeable odor of pyridine is detectable at less than 1 ppm.
The main industrial uses of pyridine include solvents, pesticides and resins.

Quinoline causes genetic mutations (mutagen) and therefore may increase your risk of cancer.
Repeated exposure damages the retina of the eye, affecting vision.
Repeated exposure to quinoline may damage the liver.
Quinoline exposure may lead to allergy, with rash and itching (sensitizer).
Quinoline is irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and bronchial tubes, and may cause sore throat, nose bleeds, cough and phlegm.
Absorption occurs both by inhalation and through the skin.
Quinoline bioaccumulates in the tissues of fish.
The main industrial uses of quinoline include dyes, catalysts, insecticides, herbicides, corrosion inhibitors and to preserve anatomical specimens.

Exposure to hydroquinone leads to eye injury, skin irritation and central nervous system effects in humans.
The main uses of hydroquinone in industry include rubber production, photography, paints, varnishes and in motor fuel.

Resorcinol was found to be irritating to skin and eyes in humans.
The main industrial uses of resorcinol include tanning, photography, resins, dyes, laminates and adhesives.

Catechol, when inhaled with benzo[a]pyrene (also found in tobacco smoke), is co-carcinogenic.
Catechol causes increased blood pressure, upper respiratory tract irritation and eczematous dermatitis in humans.
At higher doses, catchol causes kidney damage and convulsions.
The main uses of catchol in industry include photography, rubber, dye, oil, insecticides, and inks.

Studies have shown phenol to be toxic to the respiratory, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal and neurological systems of animals.
Higher doses of phenol may damage the lungs and central nervous system and induce convulsions in humans.
Phenol is irritating to the skin, mucous membranes and eyes in humans.
Phenol may be absorbed by inhalation or through the skin.
The main industrial uses of phenol include chemicals and drugs, disinfectants, germicidal paints and slimicides.

Cresol was found to promote tumors in mice.
Cresol is strongly irritating to skin, and causes dermatitis in humans.
Long term exposure to cresol leads to headaches, nausea, vomiting, elevated blood pressure, impaired kidney function, blood-calcium imbalance and marked tremors, in humans.
Cresol is absorbed through the skin.
The main uses of cresol in industry include ore flotation, disinfectants, synthetic resins, dyes, fumigants, and explosives.

Tar is the tobacco industry term for all non-gaseous, non-nicotine, non-water chemicals in tobacco smoke.

Free-base nicotine (in tobacco smoke) is absorbed almost instantly by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact.
Nicotine concentrates in the brain, the kidney, the stomach mucosa, the adrenal medulla, the nasal mucosa and the salivary glands.
Studies show that nicotine exposure can result in seizures, vomiting, depressions of the central nervous system, growth retardation, developmental toxicity in fetuses, and preterm birth with reduced body weight and brain development in animals.
Nicotine is excreted in breast milk.
Mild nicotine poisoning in humans results in the following symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, increase in respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, headache, dizziness, and neurological stimulation.
Nicotine is considered responsible for many of the acute psychological and physiological effects of smoking, chewing or inhaling tobacco.
The main uses of nicotine in industry (besides tobacco) include insecticides (now mostly banned) and as tranquilizing darts for wildlife.

CARBON MONOXIDE

Tobacco Smoke is the major source of personal inhalation of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is absorbed into the blood, resulting in reduction in exercise tolerance, increased angina and headaches.
Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
As little as 3% absorbed carbon monoxide in haemoglobin results in decreased psychomotor function, and therefore can impair driving skills. Headaches may occur at 10% carbon monoxide in haemoglobin.
Carbon monoxide binds to myoglobin, decreasing heart and muscle function.
Carbon monoxide is a possible Reproductive Toxin.
Studies on pregnant animals show decreased birth weights, fetal death or damage at moderate levels of carbon monoxide.
Fetal carbon monoxide levels are generally 10 to 15% higher than maternal levels.
Inhaled tobacco smoke increases the level of carbon monoxide in the fetus, increasing the chance of low birth weight, and possible perinatal death or retardation of mental abilities.

1,3-butadiene suspected to cause cancer in humans.
Joint exposure to styrene (also found in tobacco smoke) may increase the risk of disease.
The toxicity of 1,3-butadiene is increased by prolonged or repeated exposures.
The main industrial uses of 1,3-butadiene include synthetic rubber and tire manufacture.

Isoprene causes skin, eye and mucous membrane irritation.

Acrylonitrile is suspected to cause cancer in humans.
Acrylonitrile is highly toxic. It is similar to cyanide in toxicity, and is also known as 'vinyl cyanide'.
Absorption of acrylonitrile is from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract and through the skin.
Studies on pregnant animals showed 'a significant maternal toxicity', leading to increased possibility of deformation in the fetus and offspring.
The main industrial uses of acrylonitrile include manufacture of bottles and as a fumigant for tobacco.
In the United States, acrylonitrile has been withdrawn as a fumigant for all other food commodities.

Benzene is confirmed to cause cancer in humans.
Benzene is known to cause leukemia in humans.
Cumulative exposure to benzene is the most likely predictor of the possibility of developing leukemia.
Leukemia may manifest 2 to 50 years after exposure to benzene.
Benzene is highly toxic.
Benzene produces chromosomal aberrations in humans and in animals.
Benzene is absorbed through the skin.
Previously, benzene was used in industry to manufacture inks, rubber, lacquers and paint remover.

Toluene is highly toxic.
Toluene is a possible Reproductive Toxin.
Inhaled toluene appears in blood circulation within 10 seconds and accumulates in body fat.
Toluene is a depressant to the central nervous system in animals and in humans.
Long term low level exposure results in headaches, lassitude, loss of appetite, disturbances in menstruation, reductions in intelligence and psychomotor skills.
Higher exposure results in encephalopathy, headache, depression, lassitude, impaired coordination, transient memory loss, impaired reaction time, dizziness, nasal discharge, drowsiness, and metallic taste.
The main uses of toluene in industry include rubbers, oils, resins, adhesives, inks, detergents, dyes, and explosives.

Styrene is a possible human carcinogen.
Styrene has been found to produce headaches, ocular and conjunctival irritation and slowed reaction time, fatigue, dizziness and nausea, reduced attention and manual dexterity, and reductions in colour discrimination, in humans.
Reproductive effects of styrene include a possible increased incidence of spontaneous abortion and increased number of abnormal sperm.
When styrene and butadiene (also in tobacco smoke) are combined, they produce 4-phylglycolhexene, a suspected sensitizer.
The main industrial uses of styrene include plastics, coatings, polyesters, resins, and synthetic rubbers.

NNN (N-nitrosonornicotine) is a carcinogenic Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamine (TSNA) found only in tobacco products.
NNN is formed from nicotine directly and is the most abundant cancer-causing TSNA.
NNN is a yellow, oily liquid that is known to cause nose, throat, lung and digestive tract cancer in animals.
NNN may cause reproductive damage in humans.-These is no safe level of exposure to NNN.

NNK [(4-methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone] is a carcinogenic Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamine (TSNA) found only in tobacco products.
NNK is a powerful lung carcinogen.
NNK induces adenoma and AC tumors of the lung.
There is no safe level of exposure to NAT.

NAT (N-nitrosoanatabine) is a possibly carcinogenic Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamine (TSNA) found only in tobacco products.

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