home Adviсe How many substances are contained in tobacco smoke? Cigarette composition

How many substances are contained in tobacco smoke? Cigarette composition

It has long been no secret that tobacco smoke contains approximately four thousand chemical substances - organic and inorganic compounds, most of which pose a great danger to the health of living beings. Four thousand! Just think about this figure! This mixture of poisons, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals, so frivolously inhaled by the smoker, accumulates in his body and hour after hour carries out its dark work of weakening his health. The negative impact of cigarette smoke is greatly extended over time, so the impact of each subsequent cigarette is insignificant, this calms the smoker and prevents him from looking at the situation objectively. Of course, if Negative consequences smoking occurred immediately and significantly reduced the smoker’s health and ability to work; the number of people wanting to smoke would clearly decrease in the world.

A cigarette is a real factory of chemical waste, containing an extensive list of organic and inorganic substances. Among them are: aromatic amines, carbonyls, phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile hydrocarbons, metals and other chemicals and elements, many of which, namely about sixty, are carcinogens. I don’t know what causes the presence of all these substances in tobacco products; it is possible that most of them were added to tobacco in the form of “additives” designed to improve its “quality.” By the way, nicotine, produced in the plant for the purpose of protection against pests, is one of the most powerful poisons plant origin. It is he who is responsible for addiction, or, more precisely, drug addiction, which, it turns out, is not so easy to get rid of. But let's not digress from the topic and return to the list of harmful substances contained in cigarette smoke.

Harmful substances contained in the smoke of cigarettes, cigars and cigarettes:

In addition, the following elements of the periodic table are present in tobacco smoke:

Elements that make up tobacco smoke:

1. Aluminum

2. Bismuth

3. Iron

4. Cadmium

5. Potassium

6. Cobalt

7. Lanthanum

8. Manganese

9. Copper

10. Arsenic

11. Sodium

12. Nickel

13. Polonium

14. Mercury

15. Lead

16. Selenium

17. Silver

18. Scandium

19. Antimony

20. Tellurium

21. Chrome

22. Zinc

This is the mixture of substances that smokers use to poison themselves and their loved ones. It seems amazing how to the human body it is possible to resist poisoning for such a long time, especially considering that the list of poisons and carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke given here is far from complete. People are generally amazing creatures. This may be why the vast majority of smokers think that misfortune will pass them by or that they will have enough time in the future to give up this unnatural habit for humans. Who knows. Meanwhile, each subsequent cigarette, regardless of the smoker’s desire, continues to slowly but surely destroy his body, weaken his immunity and reduce his energy level, thereby helping to eliminate motivation for a long, fulfilling life. Take another look at the list above, and if you smoke, try to honestly answer the question: “Do you want to continue turning your body into a waste dump for this chemical factory called a cigarette?”

Tobacco smoke contains many substances that have varying degrees of toxicity. It is because of them that they are harmful to the human body.

What is included in tobacco smoke

Table of toxicity of some substances that make up tobacco smoke

Tobacco smoke includes volatile substances and various particles, constituting 5-10% of its mass. The concentration of particles is high (5*10 9 /ml), while their concentration in the atmosphere of industrial cities does not exceed 10 5 /ml. The diameter of these particles is from 0.1 to 1 microns. Small sizes contribute to deeper penetration and sedimentation in the lungs. Toxic gases formed during the combustion of tobacco are adsorbed on the surface of particles produced during smoking and, together with them, penetrate into the deepest parts of the bronchi and lungs during breathing.

Modern methods have been used to determine the toxic substances that make up tobacco smoke, the average data on the content of which and their share in the total toxicity are given in the table above.

Nicotine

The main toxic substance in cigarettes is nicotine.

How does nicotine contained in tobacco smoke work?

Although lethal dose nicotine and is about 60 mg, but when this amount of the substance is consumed while smoking (this is about 20-25 cigarettes), a person does not die, since the toxic substance enters there gradually and is partially neutralized by other components of tobacco smoke, for example formaldehyde. Therefore, nicotine from tobacco smoke causes only acute poisoning when smoking, which is usually accompanied by:

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells, blocking their ability to carry oxygen and contributing to the development of respiratory failure.

Soot

Soot in tobacco smoke has a pronounced carcinogenic effect. When smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, about 750 grams enters the lungs per year. Tar resin is a pronounced carcinogen.

Heavy hydrocarbons

It should be recalled that heavy smokers usually smoke quickly; in this case, the combustion center of the cigarette is brought to particularly high temperatures, which promotes the synthesis of the most carcinogenic.

Ammonia

Due to the irritating effect of ammonia, bleeding from the gums, which is common among smokers, occurs.

The toxicity of tobacco smoke is very high. This is experienced by some novice smokers who lose consciousness without finishing a cigarette.

It was found that the total indicator of tobacco smoke contamination is very large: 384,000 MAC. In order to reduce toxicity to 1 MPC, that is, to make the air harmless, you need to dilute tobacco smoke 384,000 times fresh air. With a room volume of 25 m 3, a single air exchange and one cigarette smoked within an hour, air pollution is 20 times higher than the maximum permissible concentration. It turned out that without any negative consequences for the body you can smoke only 0.036 cigarettes during the day. Thus, even the least intense smoking is harmful to human health.

Increased toxicity depending on work location

Numerous studies have found that with the same indicators of air pollution with toxic substances and their mixtures (gasoline vapors, natural gas combustion products, benzene, etc.), the addition of tobacco smoke components increases their toxicity hundreds and even thousands of times. Surveys of workers in the chemical, foundry, mining, engineering industries, asbestos, cement, rubber, tire, flour milling, pottery, cork industries, as well as construction workers showed that respiratory diseases are observed more often in smokers than in non-smokers, when exposed to the same production hazards. Smokers are especially susceptible to developing byssinosis, a disease caused by exposure to dust from cotton, hemp and flax.

The risk of lung cancer from exposure to uranium and asbestos is significantly higher among smokers. Predominant bad influence smoking and occupational hazards depends on the severity of these factors. A comparison was made of the prevalence of chronic bronchitis among smokers and non-smokers in workshops with low and high contents of toxic substances. In the assembly shop, where air pollution is not pronounced, the prevalence of chronic bronchitis among smokers is statistically significant. In a foundry, where air pollution is very high, chronic bronchitis is diagnosed equally often among smokers and non-smokers. From this observation it was concluded that bronchopulmonary diseases may be associated primarily with smoking in workshops where there is no significant air pollution.

It is also interesting that when people smoke in cramped, poorly ventilated rooms, for example in the passenger compartment, the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in tobacco smoke can reach a level exceeding the maximum permissible concentration for industrial enterprises. After exposure to such conditions, nonsmokers may experience a moderate increase in carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood. In patients chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema, coughing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks may occur.

Numerous compounds have been found in tobacco and tobacco smoke, among which nicotine, isolated back in 1809 from tobacco leaves, is one of the most important agents acting on the human body.
Components of tobacco smoke arise by sublimation of volatile and semi-volatile substances from tobacco leaves and their breakdown components Under the influence high temperature. In addition, there are non-volatile substances that turn into smoke without decay.
When a smoker takes a puff, he inhales the main stream of smoke. The aerosol emitted by the burning cone of a cigarette in the interval between puffs is a side stream of smoke that differs in chemical composition from the main stream. The part of the smoke that is retained by the Cambridge fiberglass filter is defined as the particulate phase, while the part of the smoke that passes through the filter is defined as the gas phase.
Smoke aerosol is the highly concentrated, airborne liquid particles that make up the resin. Each particle consists of a variety of organic and inorganic compounds dispersed in a gaseous medium, consisting primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon oxide and dioxide, as well as large quantity volatile and semi-volatile organic substances in equilibrium with the phase containing particles of tobacco smoke. The composition of aerosol smoke changes all the time. Various parameters determine the quantitative and qualitative content of the main and side streams of smoke.

The main flow of smoke inhaled by a smoker is 32% when smoking cigarettes without a filter, and 23% of the total amount of smoke when smoking cigarettes without a filter. Most of the smoke is emitted in environment, where it is inhaled by non-smokers - so-called passive smokers.
There is evidence that 55 to 70% of the tobacco in cigarettes is burned between puffs, creating sidestream smoke and ash.
The main factors influencing the temperature of a burning cigarette are the length and circumference of the cigarette, filler material, type of tobacco or mixture, packaging density, method of cutting tobacco, quality of cigarette paper and filter, etc. The temperature of smoldering tobacco is 300°C, and during puffs it reaches 900-1100°C. The temperature of tobacco smoke is approximately 40-60°C.
Thus, from the periphery of the cigarette to the burning center there is a significant temperature gap (from 40 to 1100 ° C), which extends more than 3 cm along the tobacco column.
According to numerous data, a burning cigarette is like a unique chemical factory, producing more than 4 thousand different compounds, including more than 40 carcinogenic substances and at least 12 substances that promote the development of cancer (cocarcinogens).
All products of this “factory” can be divided into two phases: gas and containing solid particles.
The gas components of tobacco smoke include carbon monoxide and dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonium, isoprene, acetaldehyde, acrolein, nitrobenzene, acetone, hydrogen sulfide, hydrocyanic acid and other substances. The corresponding data are presented in table. 1.

Table 1. Main gas components of tobacco smoke
Volatile substances Content, µg
per 1 cigarette Volatile substances Content, mcg
for 1 cigarette
Carbon monoxide 13,400

N-Nitrosomethylethylamine 0.03
Carbon dioxide 50,000

Hydrazine 0.03
Ammonium 80 Nitromethane 0.5
Hydrogen cyanide 240 Nitrobenzene 1.1
Isoprene 582 Acetone 578
Acetaldehyde 770 Gasoline 67
Acrolein 84
N-Nitrosodimethylamine 108

The particulate phase of tobacco smoke consists mainly of nicotine, water and tar - tobacco tar.
The resin contains cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including nitrosamines, aromatic amines, isoprenoid, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, anthracene, fluoranthene, etc. In addition, the resin contains simple and complex phenols, cresols, naphthols , naphthalene, etc.
The corresponding data on the composition of specific components of the solid phase of tobacco smoke are presented in table. 2.
Table 2. Specific components of tobacco smoke
Specific components Content, mcg
for 1 cigarette
Nicotine 1,800
Indole 14.0
Phenol 86.4
N-Methylindole 0.42
O-cresol 20.4
Benz(a)anthracene 0.044
M- and p-cresol 49.5
Benz(a)pyrene 0.025
2,4-dimethylphenol 9.0
Fluorene 0.42
N-Ethylphenol 18.2
Fluoranthene 0.26
b-Naphthylamine 0.023
Chrysene 0.04
N-nitrosonornicotine 0.14
DDD insecticide 1.75
Carbazole 1.0
DDT insecticide 0.77
N-Methylcarbazole 0.23
4,4-Dichlorostilbene 1.33

The composition of the solid phase also includes metal components, the content of which is presented in quantitative terms in table. 3.

Table 3. Composition of the solid phase of tobacco smoke
Metals Content, mcg per 1 cigarette
Potassium 70
Sodium 1.3
Zinc 0.36
Lead 0.24
Aluminum 0.22
Copper 0.19
Cadmium 0.121
Nickel 0.08
Manganese 0.07
Antimony 0.052
Iron 0.042
Arsenic 0.012
Tellurium 0.006
Bismuth 0.004
Mercury 0.004
Manganese 0.003
Lanthanum 0.0018
Scandium 0.0014
Chrome 0.0014
Silver 0.0012
Selenium 0.001
Cobalt 0.0002
Cesium 0.0002
Gold 0.00002

In addition, this same phase contains elements that are difficult to quantify: silicon, calcium, titanium, strontium, thallium, polonium. Thus, in addition to gas phase substances and specific components, tobacco smoke includes ions of many metals and radioactive compounds of potassium, lead, polonium, strontium, etc.
When smoking 20 g of tobacco, more than 1 g of tobacco tar is formed. Taking into account the fact that even the most advanced filters retain no more than 20% of the substances contained in smoke, each smoker can easily determine how much tobacco tar with all its components has already been introduced into his respiratory system.
IN last years There is a tendency to reduce the content of tarry substances and nicotine in cigarettes. For example, cigarettes produced in the USA contain 2.2 mg of nicotine and 31.0 mg of tarry substances per 1 kg of tobacco, while cigarettes produced in Italy contain 2.68 mg of nicotine and tarry substances in the same amount of tobacco. 50.38 mg of resinous substances. Currently being developed new technology, allowing to reduce the nicotine content to 1.0 mg, and tarry substances to 14.0 mg. However, it should be noted that a decrease in the content of harmful substances in cigarettes leads, as a rule, to a quantitative increase in their consumption per smoker.
Due to the fact that tobacco smoke contains many different components, pharmacological effect smoking is associated not only with nicotine, but also with the complex influence of all components of smoke. However, nicotine is the main substance that has pharmachologic effect characteristic of tobacco smoke.
Some researchers have studied the problem of nicotine metabolism. Nicotine can be quantified using radiochemical methods. Currently, a highly sensitive gas chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of nicotine (up to 0.6 nmol/l) and the main metabolite of nicotine - cotinine (up to 0.57 nmol/l).
Most of the absorbed nicotine quickly disintegrates in the body and is partially excreted by the kidneys; in this case, the main organ providing detoxification is the liver, where nicotine is converted into the less active cotinine.
R. Wilcox et al. (1979) examined the concentrations of nicotine and cotinine in the urine of a group of smokers. After smoking cessation, cotinine remained in the urine longer than nicotine and was detected within 36 hours after smoking the last cigarette. When this method was used on patients who had previously suffered a myocardial infarction, in order to verify whether they had actually quit smoking, it turned out that only 46-53% of those examined stopped smoking.
Thus, determination of nicotine and cotinine in urine may simultaneously be useful for verifying a patient’s smoking status.
Back in 1916 N.P. Kravkov pointed out that nicotine affects the connection between preganglionic and postganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system in two phases: in the first phase it causes excitation, in the second it causes paralysis, which leads to a break in the connection between neurons.
Nicotine affects both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. First, bradycardia (irritation of the vagus) develops, which is followed by tachycardia, positive inotropic effect, increased blood pressure, spasm of peripheral skin vessels and dilatation coronary vessels due to stimulation of the sympathetic ganglia and the release of catecholamines.
Pharmacological effects nicotine from tobacco smoke is preceded by the absorption of the latter. Partial absorption occurs in the oral cavity; More than 90% of inhaled nicotine is absorbed by the lungs. From 82 to 90% of other components of tobacco smoke are also absorbed.
An important factor in the absorption of nicotine is the pH of tobacco smoke. In this case, the time of contact of tobacco smoke with the membranes of the mucous membranes, the pH of their membranes, the pH of body fluids, the depth and degree of inhalation, the frequency of puffs, etc. play a role.
Tobacco smoke is an inhibitor of enzyme systems, including dehydrogenases and oxygenases; it promotes the release of catecholamines. R. Cryer et al. (1976) established a rapid adrenaline response in response to cigarette smoking. D. Naquira et al. (1978) found, with a two-week administration of nicotine to rats, an increase in the content of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-b-hydroxylase in the hypothalamus and adrenal medulla, but did not detect changes in the content of tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum.
As P. Cryer et al. point out. (1976), J. Emele (1977), the distinct effects of tobacco smoking on the cardiovascular system are associated with the amount of nicotine absorbed. The observed reactions are caused by irritation of the sympathetic nervous system, i.e. stimulation of the sympathetic ganglia, adrenal medulla and the release of endogenous catecholamines. In this case, an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, stroke volume, contractile force of the myocardium and oxygen consumption are observed, coronary blood flow, increased arrhythmias. Activation of chemoreceptors of the carotid and aortic bodies causes vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure. It is also believed that an increase in serum corticoid levels after smoking high-nicotine cigarettes sensitizes the myocardium to the effects of catecholamines, leading to the development of arrhythmias or myocardial infarction.
In peripheral vessels, the tone of the smooth muscles of arterioles increases, their narrowing and a decrease in skin temperature are observed.
In persons with healthy vessels Nicotine causes dilation of the coronary arteries and an increase in coronary blood flow. Against the background of atherosclerotic changes, there is reverse effect.
The effect of nicotine on the respiratory system is difficult to assess, because respiratory functions affected by both solid particles and gases contained in tobacco smoke during the combustion of a cigarette, including carbon monoxide and dioxide.
Tobacco smoke causes acute bronchospasm due to the release of histamine and stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system in the lungs. Subsequently, dilatation of the bronchi occurs, possibly associated with sympathetic stimulation.
Smoking can cause many functional and organic lesions. Smoking is associated with deterioration of memory, attention and observation, delayed growth and sexual development in children, morphological changes in sperm, decreased sexual potency, infertility, pregnancy disorders, delayed fetal development, the birth of children with low body weight, miscarriages, decreased performance, deterioration in appearance and etc.
Smoking also causes changes in the body's response to the effects of many medications. On therapeutic effect Smoking can have a direct or indirect effect on many medications. The direct effect is expressed in a direct change in the effect of medications in smokers. Smoking speeds up metabolism medicinal substances by stimulating their breakdown under the influence of liver enzymes. At the same time, the therapeutic effect of the drugs used is reduced, and therefore smokers need to increase the dose. It is characteristic that the effect of drugs is directly dependent on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. This dependence is especially pronounced when smoking 20 cigarettes or more.
A. Stankowska-Chomicz (1982), Ph. Hensten et al. (1982) provide a special list of medications whose effects are altered by smoking. Among them are ascorbic acid, furosemide, heparin, estrogens, pentazocine, phenacetin, antipyrine, propranolol, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, imipramine, etc.
The indirect effect of smoking on the therapeutic effect of drugs is that it can adversely affect the course of a number of diseases, thus complicating the treatment of patients. Such diseases include ischemic disease heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, allergies, peptic ulcers, respiratory diseases, cerebral and peripheral vascular diseases, etc.
There is evidence in the literature that smoking poses a genetic risk. Thus, in persons who smoke more than 30 cigarettes per day, morphological changes in sperm occur 2 times more often than in non-smokers, and the number of metabolic type aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes is 6 times higher than the control level. An increase in perinatal mortality, the frequency of spontaneous abortions and congenital deformities reflecting chromosomal abnormalities is observed in women whose husbands smoke.

The purpose of this article is to convey to smokers valuable information about what they smoke - this is about the chemical composition of cigarettes and tobacco smoke, which for some reason is not written about anywhere, neither on cigarette packs, nor in advertisements, nor is it talked about on TV, Medicine doesn’t pay attention to this, the government is interested, so that you never know it. I’ll tell you honestly, I can’t look at such a situation and just remain silent on the sidelines. If others do this, it does not mean that I will do the same - remain silent. Every smoker should know the whole truth. Have you ever seriously thought about what you inhale with tobacco smoke?

Did you know that there are no regulations anywhere in the world requiring tobacco companies to reduce or control the concentration of carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Not to mention that there is much more tar and nicotine in cigarettes than tobacco companies indicate. Studies were conducted and it turned out that the tobacco companies were not so honest - the nicotine and tar levels were about 10 times higher than the figures reported by the tobacco companies.

Let's then find out the whole truth about the chemical composition of cigarettes, tobacco smoke and how each of their components affects the body. To date, tobacco products contain about 4,000 chemical compounds, and tobacco smoke contains about 5,000 chemical compounds, of which approximately 60 cause cancer. Do you know what kind of radiation we receive from x-rays? It is not for nothing that it has been established that x-rays can only be done 2 times a year, since this results in strong radiation to the organs of the body. So, a person who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day receives a radiation dose of 500 roentgens per year. Can you imagine the impact your body receives from each cigarette you smoke?

The main substance in tobacco products for which they are consumed is nicotine. Indirect evidence of this is the repeated attempts to produce cigarettes without nicotine, which have failed everywhere in the market. Try it, buy cigarettes without nicotine at any pharmacy, and try to smoke at least one cigarette. I managed to smoke a maximum of 1-2 cigarettes, and after that I ran to the store for cigarettes with nicotine.

Nicotine is a natural component of tobacco plants and is a drug and a strong poison. It easily penetrates the blood and accumulates in the most vital organs, leading to disruption of their functions. IN large quantities it is highly toxic. Nicotine is the tobacco plant's natural defense against being eaten by insects. It is three times more toxic than arsenic. When nicotine enters the brain, it provides access to influence a variety of processes in the human nervous system. Nicotine poisoning is characterized by: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting. IN severe cases loss of consciousness and convulsions. Chronic poisoning - nicotineism, is characterized by weakening of memory and decreased performance. Everyone knows that “a drop of nicotine kills a horse,” but only a few realize that a person is not a horse and therefore for him the lethal dose is only 60 mg of nicotine, and for children - even less. An unsmoked cigarette contains about 10 mg of nicotine, but through smoke a smoker receives about 0.533 mg of nicotine from one cigarette.

Tar is everything that is contained in tobacco smoke, with the exception of gases, nicotine and water. Each particle consists of many organic and inorganic substances, among which there are many volatile and semi-volatile compounds. The smoke enters the mouth in the form of a concentrated aerosol. When cooled, it condenses and forms a resin that settles in the respiratory tract. Substances contained in the resin cause cancer and other lung diseases, such as paralysis of the clearing process in the lungs and damage to the alveolar sacs. They also reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Carcinogens from tobacco smoke have different chemical natures. They consist of 44 individual substances, 12 groups or mixtures of chemicals, and 13 exposure conditions. Nine of these 44 substances are present in mainstream tobacco smoke. These are benzene, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, chromium, 2-naphthylamine, vinyl chloride, 4-3 aminobiphenyl, beryllium. In addition to carcinogens themselves, tobacco smoke also contains so-called co-carcinogens, that is, substances that contribute to the effect of carcinogens. These include, for example, catechol.

Nitrosamines are a group of carcinogens formed from tobacco alkaloids. They are an etiological factor in malignant tumors of the lungs, esophagus, pancreas, and oral cavity in people who consume tobacco. When interacting with nitrosamines, DNA molecules change their structure, which serves as the beginning of malignant growth. Modern cigarettes, despite the apparent decrease in tar content, they cause a greater intake of nitrosamines into the smoker’s body. And with a decrease in the intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the smoker’s body and an increase in the intake of nitrosamines, a change in the structure of the incidence of lung cancer is associated with a decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and an increase in the number of cases of adenocarcinoma.

Carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) is a colorless and odorless gas found in high concentrations in cigarette smoke. Its ability to combine with hemoglobin is 200 times higher than that of oxygen. Due to this increased level Carbon monoxide in a smoker's lungs and blood reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, which affects the functioning of all body tissues. The brain and muscles (including the heart) cannot function at their full potential without sufficient oxygen supply. The heart and lungs must work with greater load in order to compensate for the decrease in oxygen supply to the body. Carbon monoxide also damages artery walls and increases the risk of narrowing of the coronary vessels, which can lead to heart attacks.

Polonium-210 is the first element in atomic number order that does not have stable isotopes. It occurs naturally, but in uranium ores its concentration is 100 trillion times less than the concentration of uranium. It is easy to guess that it is difficult to extract polonium, so in the atomic age this element is obtained in nuclear reactors by irradiation of bismuth isotopes. Polonium is a soft, silvery-white metal slightly lighter than lead. It enters the human body with tobacco smoke. It is quite toxic due to its alpha radiation. A person, having smoked just one cigarette, “throws” into himself as many heavy metals and benzopyrene as he would absorb them, inhaling exhaust gases for 16 hours.

Hydrogen cyanide or hydrocyanic acid has a direct detrimental effect on the natural cleansing mechanism of the lungs through its effect on the cilia of the bronchial tree. Damage to this cleaning system can lead to accumulation toxic substances in the lungs, increasing the likelihood of developing the disease. The effects of hydrocyanic acid are not limited to the cilia of the respiratory tract. Hydrocyanic acid belongs to the substances of the so-called general toxic action. The mechanism of its effect on the human body is the disruption of intracellular and tissue respiration due to the suppression of the activity of iron-containing enzymes in tissues involved in the transfer of oxygen from blood hemoglobin to tissue cells. As a result, the tissues do not receive enough oxygen, even if neither the supply of oxygen to the blood nor its transport by hemoglobin to the tissues is impaired. In the case of exposure to tobacco smoke on the body, all these processes mutually aggravate each other’s effects. Tissue hypoxia develops, which, among other things, can lead to a decrease in mental and physical performance, as well as to more serious problems such as myocardial infarction. In addition to hydrocyanic acid, there are other components in tobacco smoke that directly affect the cilia in the lungs. These are acrolein, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde.

Acrolein (translated from Greek " hot oil"), as well as carbon monoxide, is a product of incomplete combustion. Acrolein has a pungent odor, irritates the mucous membranes and is a strong lachrymator, that is, it causes lacrimation. In addition, like hydrocyanic acid, acrolein is a substance with general toxic effects and also increases the risk of developing cancer. Removal of acrolein metabolites from the body can lead to inflammation of the bladder - cystitis. Acrolein, like other aldehydes, causes damage to the nervous system. Acrolein and formaldehyde belong to the group of substances that provoke the development of asthma.

Nitrogen oxides (nitric oxide and the more dangerous nitrogen dioxide) are found in fairly high concentrations in tobacco smoke. They can cause damage to the lungs, leading to emphysema. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reduces the body's resistance to respiratory diseases, which can lead to the development of, for example, bronchitis. Nitrogen oxide poisoning produces nitrates and nitrites in the blood. Nitrates and nitrites, acting directly on the arteries, cause vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. Once in the blood, nitrites form a stable compound with hemoglobin - methemoglobin, preventing the transfer of oxygen by hemoglobin and the supply of oxygen to the body organs, which leads to oxygen deficiency. Thus, nitrogen dioxide mainly affects the respiratory tract and lungs, and also causes changes in blood composition, in particular, it reduces the hemoglobin content in the blood. Exposure of the human body to nitrogen dioxide reduces resistance to disease and causes oxygen starvation tissues, especially in children. It also enhances the effect of carcinogenic substances, contributing to the occurrence of malignant neoplasms. Nitrogen dioxide affects immune system, increasing the sensitivity of the body, especially children, to pathogenic microorganisms and viruses. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a more complex role in the body, since it is formed endogenously and is involved in the regulation of the lumen of blood vessels and the respiratory tract. Under the influence of nitrogen oxide coming from outside with tobacco smoke, its endogenous synthesis in tissues decreases, which leads to a narrowing of blood vessels and respiratory tracts. At the same time, exogenous portions of nitric oxide can lead to short-term dilation of the bronchi and deeper entry of tobacco smoke into the lungs. It is no coincidence that nitrogen oxides are present in tobacco smoke, since their entry into the respiratory tract enhances the absorption of nicotine. In recent years, the role of nitric oxide in the formation of nicotine addiction. NO is released in nervous tissue under the influence of incoming nicotine. This results in a decrease in the release of sympathetic neurotransmitters in the brain and relief from stress. On the other hand, dopamine reuptake is inhibited, and its increased concentrations create the rewarding effect of nicotine.

Free radicals- these are molecules that contain atoms that are formed when tobacco burns. Free radicals from tobacco smoke, together with other highly active substances, for example, peroxide compounds, constitute a group of oxidants that are involved in the implementation of so-called oxidative stress and have an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, chronic illness lungs. They currently play a major role in the development of smoker's bronchitis. In addition, free radical products of tobacco smoke most actively affect the upper parts of the respiratory tract, causing inflammation and atrophy of the mucous membrane of the posterior pharynx and trachea, and exert their harmful effects mainly in the alveolar region of the lungs, in the walls blood vessels, changing their structure and functions.

76 metals are found in tobacco smoke, including nickel, cadmium, arsenic, chromium and lead. It is known that arsenic, chromium and their compounds reliably cause the development of cancer in humans. There is evidence to suggest that nickel and cadmium compounds are also carcinogens. The content of metals in tobacco leaves is determined by the conditions of tobacco cultivation, the composition of fertilizers, and weather conditions. For example, it has been observed that rain increases the metal content in tobacco leaves.

Hexavalent chromium has long been known as a carcinogen, and trivalent chromium is an essential nutrient, that is, an essential component of food. At the same time, there are detoxification pathways in the body that allow the reduction of hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium. Inhalation exposure to chromium has been associated with the development of asthma.

Nickel belongs to the group of substances that provoke the development of asthma and also contributes to the development of cancer. Inhalation of nickel particles leads to the development of bronchiolitis, that is, inflammation of the smallest bronchi.

Cadmium is a heavy metal. The most common source of cadmium is smoking. The effects of cadmium exposure are most pronounced in those people who have a deficiency of zinc and calcium in their diet. Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys. It has a toxic effect on the kidneys and helps reduce mineral density bone tissue. As a result, cadmium interferes with pregnancy, increasing the risk of low fetal weight and preterm birth.

Iron may also be a component of the particle phase of tobacco smoke. Inhalation of iron can lead to the development of cancer of the respiratory organs.

Radioactive components are contained in very high concentrations in tobacco smoke. These include: polonium-210, lead-210 and potassium-40. In addition, radium-226, radium-228 and thorium-228 are also present. Studies conducted in Greece have shown that tobacco leaves contain the isotopes cesium-134 and cesium-137 of Chernobyl origin. It is clearly established that radioactive components are carcinogens. Smokers have deposits of polonium-210 and lead-210 in their lungs, exposing smokers to much higher doses of radiation than people typically receive from natural sources. This constant exposure, either alone or synergistically with other carcinogens, can contribute to the development of cancer. A study of the smoke of Polish cigarettes showed that inhalation of tobacco smoke is the main source of entry of pollenium-210 and lead-210 into the smoker's body. It was discovered that the smoke of different brands of cigarettes can differ significantly in radioactivity, and a cigarette filter adsorbs only a small part of the radioactive substances.
And as you may have guessed, this list goes on and on. I wrote the most important components of cigarettes and tobacco smoke - these are the most dangerous chemicals for any living organism. Now you know the whole truth about tobacco and only you can decide what to do with this information.

TOBACCO SMOKE AND ITS HARM

Tobacco smoke is a hot mixture of harmful gases, vapors, liquids and solids resulting from the combustion of tobacco leaves. Measurements have shown that at the end of a cigarette, a cigarette, and especially a cigar, a very high temperature develops (600 - 900 ° C). In this case, dry distillation of tobacco (pyrolysis) occurs. Many organic substances burn to gaseous products, some liquids evaporate, and solids turn into fine microscopic dust, forming harmful substances. Thus, tobacco smoke is an aerosol of gases, liquids and solids.

The chemical composition of tobacco smoke is very complex. Depending on the quality, grade and composition of tobacco, 1200 components are distinguished.

Harmful gaseous components of tobacco smoke include: carbon monoxide (II) (carbon monoxide) and carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, methane, arsenic oxide (III), ethane, nitrogen oxide (I), etc. It should be borne in mind that even normally harmless substances are toxic in hot and sprayed form.

Compared to gaseous fractions of tobacco smoke, they are more diverse and toxic. Of the liquid substances that have a toxic effect on the body, more than 30 have been found in tobacco smoke. various acids, over 20 alcohols, 27 aldehydes and ketones, 65 aliphatic hydrocarbons and 45 phenols forming tobacco tar, essential oils. Among the numerous acids in tobacco smoke, especially strong poisons are hydrocyanic, formic and oil.

Hydrocyanic acid is a deadly poison. One drop of it is enough to instantly kill a person; it paralyzes cellular and tissue respiration. Despite the fact that the content is hydrocyanic; There is little acid in the smoke, it increases oxygen starvation and disrupts metabolism in the brain, heart and muscle tissues. Acids severely irritate the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and alveoli, facilitating the penetration of tobacco poisons into the blood and causing inflammation of the larynx, pharynx, and upper respiratory tract.

Of the sublimating alcohols, poisons are methyl, ethyl, propionic, butyric and higher polyhydric alcohols called fusel oils. They poison lung tissue, easily penetrate the blood, especially affecting the nervous system. Aldehydes and ketones - harmful products breakdown of organic matter; most of them have a bitter taste. Together with hydrogen sulfide and nicotine, they cause excessive salivation, nausea and vomiting.

Aliphatic hydrocarbons and phenols (among them benzopyrene and benzathracene), which are part of tobacco tar, lead to malignant neoplasms.

Tobacco tar and tar easily stick to thin inner shells pulmonary tract and alveoli, preventing normal gas exchange between the lungs and blood. When deposited on the teeth and gums, tar leads to inflammation of the oral mucosa, the formation of brown plaque and tooth decay, which is the cause unpleasant odor from mouth.

By affecting the autonomic functions of the body, nicotine changes the secretion of the adrenal glands, increasing the release of the hormone adrenaline and its effect on the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, when smoking, the heart rate sharply increases, and at the same time, peripheral blood vessels narrow for a long time. In a minute, the frequency of contractions increases by 20-30 beats, and vascular spasm sharply increases blood pressure, disrupts the nutrition of tissues and muscles, the brain, kidneys, liver, and skin.

Nicotine is a poison that stops the conduction of excitations through nerve nodes. In the whole organism, disruption of such transmission interferes with the nervous regulation of the cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory and other systems, metabolism, and endocrine glands. It has been established that nicotine interferes with the body’s absorption of vitamin C, destroying it, causing increased deposition of lime and cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels, which leads to sclerotic changes.

Nicotine is especially harmful to the body during muscle activity, as it disrupts blood circulation and regulation of vital functions. important organs and herself muscle tissue. At the same time, it would be too one-sided to reduce the harm of smoking only to nicotine. Nicotine is only one of the main poisons, the narcotic effect of which creates a craving for smoking and the formation of a harmful, unhygienic habit that turns into a disease - nicotine addiction. You should also pay attention to other components of tobacco smoke, which poison the body, reduce its protective properties, impair growth and development, contributing to the occurrence of various diseases.

There are fewer solid fractions in tobacco smoke than gaseous and liquid ones, but their effect on the body is even more destructive. These fractions include: arsenic compounds, radioactive and carcinogenic substances, soot. It is estimated that 1 ml of tobacco smoke contains 600,000 small dust particles of soot. They clog the lung tissue and make breathing difficult. Arsenic(III) oxide is an extremely toxic compound that poisons the lungs and nervous system.

Scientists have discovered radioactive polonium (210 Po) in tobacco smoke with a decay period of 138 days. When smoking tobacco, 80% of polonium passes into the smoke. It emits alpha (a) particles. When smoking two packs of cigarettes, a person emits 36 rads of radiation, and the permissible dose established by the International Council on Radiation Protection is 6 rads. If we take into account that tobacco smoke also contains radioactive lead C 20 Pv), bismuth (210 Bi), (40 K), emitting beta (B) particles, then the total radiation when smoking a pack of cigarettes reaches 50 rad. This is quite enough to cause cancer of the lips, larynx, lungs and other organs with long-term smoking. In the lungs of smokers, 7 times more radioactive polonium was found than in non-smokers, in the liver - 3 times, in the heart - 2 times, in the kidneys - 1.5 times. Many scientists believe that the presence of these substances is more dangerous than the effects of other substances in tobacco smoke combined.

Thus, when smoking, many substances act on the body in hot mixture gases, vapors and dust. They easily penetrate into the blood, and through the walls of capillaries - into all cells, tissues and organs.

Cultivating students' intolerant attitude towards smoking should begin with an explanation of the composition of tobacco smoke and disclosure of the toxic effect of its components on all organs and systems of the body.

The effect of tobacco smoke on the human body has been studied in physiological, toxicological and social terms.

Physiological studies have made it possible to clarify the influence of smoking and tobacco smoke on all human systems and organs, on his mental and physical performance.

Toxicological studies have proven that tobacco smoke and its individual components have a toxic effect on living organisms and have revealed the mechanism of acute and chronic poisoning from smoking.

Smoking, depending on the strength of tobacco, its doses, and duration of action, leads to acute or chronic poisoning of the body. Acute poisoning is a sudden disruption of vital important functions the body as a result of a single smoking of a large amount of tobacco.

The first introduction into the body of a whole complex of toxic substances from tobacco smoke causes a sharp defensive reaction: salivation and lacrimation, nausea, breath holding, coughing with simultaneous disruption of the nervous, respiratory, circulatory and other systems. The composition of the blood changes sharply, which has a strong effect on the medulla oblongata.

Acute poisoning is accompanied by disorder cerebral circulation, spasm of the heart vessels, decreased body temperature, clouding or loss of consciousness. To provide first aid, the victim should be placed on his back and cold compresses applied to his forehead, and in case of cardiac arrest, artificial respiration, massage the heart area, and then send it to a medical facility.

Acute poisoning is especially dangerous for children and adolescents, whose protective properties and resistance to adverse conditions are much lower than in adults.

Chronic poisoning causes painful changes of a structural, morphological and functional nature that occur as a result of prolonged smoking. In case of chronic poisoning, the activity of all vital organs and systems is disrupted, performance decreases, sexual impotence occurs, and premature aging, growth and development of the body is delayed in children. Children and adolescents who smoke do not tolerate infectious diseases, their protective functions and immunity of the body are reduced, they do not resist bacterial poisons and cannot withstand long acting high temperature. It should be emphasized that for protective functions and immunity, not only smoking itself is harmful, but also staying in smoky rooms.

Not every smoker, even with experience, will be able to name the components that make up tobacco smoke, or even tobacco itself. Everyone knows nicotine and tar, but only a few are aware that cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 components, most of which are considered dangerous to human life and, of course, to health. It is not written on packs of tobacco products that...

Tobacco companies do not have regulated standards for the control of carcinogens in tobacco. A study of cigarettes shows that the amount of tar and nicotine in products exceeds the specified values by 10 times or more. There is no control over the amount of harmful substances. But why around chemical composition tobacco products such a hype? What harm does smoking cause? And is it really so dangerous? Maybe it's just disgusting bad smell? It is enough to take a closer look at the components cigarette smoke to answer the question about the danger in the affirmative.

Composition of tobacco smoke: main elements

What does tobacco smoke consist of? The average person knows many of the chemical elements and compounds found in tobacco smoke. Some are encountered in everyday life, others are familiar from chemistry lessons at school. Tobacco smoke contains gaseous components and solid particles. Gaseous particles include:

All these are harmful substances, which has been proven more than once. Many of them are poisons to any biological life form. It is worth looking at this list to understand: such substances should not be found in the cells of a biological body.

Tobacco smoke also contains some radioactive components.

polonium;
potassium;
lead;
radium;
cesium.

It is known that radioactive substances are carcinogens that accumulate in cells. A smoker receives an annual radiation dose of 500 roentgens by consuming one pack of cigarettes per day.

Solid particles include resin, metal and other compounds:

The composition of resinous and solid particles is especially dangerous to health. They are the ones who cover the lungs and airways with soot, preventing the body from cleaning itself.

These are the most well-known elements found in tobacco smoke.

Damage to the body

Tobacco smoke and its components disable not only the respiratory system, but also other body systems. All these substances depress a person’s mental state. He becomes nervous. To calm down, I need another cigarette. An addicted person can smoke despite disgust. Nicotine, being a poisonous drug, is addictive and addictive. A person becomes psychologically ill - he is a slave to his habit.

At the physical level, the main components of tobacco smoke cause serious illnesses due to its constant presence in the blood:

illnesses of cardio-vascular system: hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attack, angina pectoris;
central nervous system: cerebral stroke, memory and intellectual development disorders;
digestive system: gastritis, ulcers, diabetes, hemorrhoids, stomach cancer;
respiratory system: lung cancer, pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, emphysema, oxygen starvation;
disease of the sense organs: dulling of the olfactory and taste buds, dulling of the hearing aid, decreased appetite;
endocrine system: toxicosis during pregnancy, miscarriage, physical deformity and delayed fetal development, elongation menstrual cycle, impotence.

Added to all this is general oxygen starvation, which means poor absorption useful substances and weakened immunity. Resinous components make it difficult to cleanse the body of toxins. Accumulated toxic substances are not removed from the cells, causing them to mutate.

If we talk about the material base, a smoker spends a certain amount of money every day on purchasing cigarettes or other tobacco products. Taking into account the fact that tobacco products are not vital products, luxury or household items, and are not necessary for a person’s life, it is possible to calculate how much money a smoker spends on smoke. Not for warmth, without which he will die, not for food, not for clothing, but for smoke. If we add to this the amount that the smoker will spend on the treatment of diseases caused by smoking, on medicines, on rehabilitation after treatment, or possible surgery- it will turn out to be a very decent amount.

Some statistics

According to statistics, since the 50s of the last century, 62 million people have died due to substances contained in tobacco products. If the tendency to smoke continues to grow, as in our time, then 9% of the world's population, which is 500 million people, will owe their death to tobacco smoke. Nowadays, about 3 million smokers die every year from substances that make up tobacco smoke.

When smoking one cigarette a person consumes about 5 mg of nicotine. If you smoke 25 cigarette products, almost . Largest quantity Nicotine is found in shag and non-varietal tobacco. The higher the grade of tobacco, the lower the nicotine content.

Cigarette filters are not able to protect smokers from harmful substances. According to laboratory research, filters retain about 8%, while 50% remains in the inhaled smoke, about 30% in the cigarette butt, and about 10% in the ash.

Smoke-free day

Nowadays, people are faced with junk food, habits, stress, and not always useful household items. An ordinary ordinary citizen becomes dependent on bad habits. These include smoking, the Internet, telephone addiction, alcohol and more. Day without the Internet, Donor Day and other similar mass events have become popular. Of course, it was impossible not to create a World Smoke-Free Day. Moreover, there are 2 days a year dedicated to quitting smoking - May 31 and the third Thursday of November. In Russia, both of these days are celebrated.