Chemicals in Cigarette

It has been determined that there are approximately 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes and the smoke it generates. Of those of 4,000 chemicals, 43 have been identified to cause cancer.

This is only a partial list of the chemicals ingested when you inhale a cigarette:

• Acetone:
  One of the active ingredients in nail polish remover.

• Ammonia:
  A caustic agent used in fertilizers and household cleaners. Is added to enhance the flavor of a cigarette, but also helps the smoker to absorb more nicotine thereby enhancing addiction.

• Arsenic:
  Rat poison. Makes your lips burn and is responsible for giving you bad breath.

• Benzopyrene:
  One of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals in the world. Found in coal tar and cigarette smoke.

• Benzene:
  Is an industrial chemical and a constituent of gasoline. It is a group 1 carcinogen and is responsible for causing leukemia and aplitic anemia.

• Butane:
  A key component of gasoline, it’s highly flammable.

• Carbon Monoxide:
  A colorless, odorless gas, which starves the body of existing oxygen.

• Cadmium:
  Used in batteries and oil paint. It is a group 1 carcinogen. It damages the liver, kidneys, and brain and remains in the body for years (>10 years). Is also excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers.

• Formaldehyde:
  Used in embalming (preserving tissue). Causes cancer and damages the lung, skin, and digestive tract.

• Hydrogen Cyanide:
  A colorless poisonous gas. Short-term exposure causes headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

• Lead:
  Of the heavy metal group. Stunts growth and damages the brain, kidneys and nervous system. Lead is more easily absorbed in the growing bodies so children are particularly vulnerable. Exposure in children can result in development delays, lower IQ levels, shortened attention spans and increased behavioral problems

• Methoprene:
  An insecticide used to kill fleas on your pets.

• Mercury:
  A heavy metal, affects the central nervous system. Exposure causes tremors, memory loss and kidney disease.

• Nickel:
  A heavy metal, affects the central nervous system. Exposure causes increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

• Nitric oxide:
  Produces short-term effects on airway activity. High concentrations can lead to acute lung dysfunction.

• Phenol:
  Used in disinfectants and plastic. Exposure causes skin, eye, and mucus membrane irritation.

• Polonium:
  A cancer causing radioactive element.

• Propylene Glycol:
  Added by the tobacco industry to keep cheap tobacco from drying out. It also has been known to aid in delivery of nicotine to the brain.

• Styrene:
  Found in insulation material. Causes headaches, fatigue, weakness, and depression.

• Toluene:
  Embalmers glue, which is a central nervous system depressant. Exposure causes ataxia, tremors, cerebral atrophy, nystagmus, impaired speech, hearing and vision, headaches, dizziness and difficulty sleeping.

• Turpentine:
  A toxic chemical used in paint stripper.