What Toxic Chemicals Are Contained in Cigarette Smoke?

There may be as many as 4000 different chemicals in- Mercury
cigarettes. So far it has been determined that at least- Napthalene: used in moth balls
50 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer.- Phenol: a disinfectant
The most commonly mentioned substances are- Strontium
nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide. Nicotine is an- Styrene: a plastic
insecticide. Tar is an oily substance used to pave- Toluene: industrial solvent
driveways and roofs. Carbon monoxide is an odorless- Zinc Tobaccos companies add various chemicals
gas found in auto exhaust. However, These may NOTand flavorings to cigarettes to improve the taste and
be the most dangerous chemicals contained in theto make the tobacco burn smoother and longer. It is
cigarettes.also known that some of the chemicals increase the
Toxic Chemicalscraving for and addiction to tobacco smoking.
Here is a random list of some of the other toxicSmokers are exposed to many more chemicals than
ingredients in cigarettes:they realize.
- Ammonia: used in dry cleaning fluid and toilet cleanerThe Effect of Second Hand Smoke
- Acetone: used as a solvent in nail polish removersTo make matter worse, second hand smoke is even
- Benzine: used as a solvent in gasolinemore dangerous. The American Surgeon General
- Cadmium: a heavy metal used in batteriesfound over 50 cancer causing chemicals which are
- Formaldehyde: used in embalming fluidfound in cigarette smoke. The unfortunate result is that
- Hexamine: used in barbeque lighter fluidother people or family members can develop health
- Hydrogen Cyanide: a component of the poison usedproblems without ever smoking a cigarette!
in gas chambers