Part tobacco smoke includes many substances that have varying degrees of toxicity. It is because of them for the human body.

What is in tobacco smoke

Table of toxicity of some substances that make up tobacco smoke

Tobacco smoke includes volatile substances and various particles that make up 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 µm. Small size contributes to deeper penetration and sedimentation in the lungs. Toxic gases formed during the combustion of tobacco are adsorbed on the surface of particles arising from 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 the share in the total toxicity are given in the table above.

Nicotine

The main poisonous substance in cigarettes is nicotine.

How does nicotine in tobacco smoke work?

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

• shortness of breath
• increased heart rate,
• tinnitus,
• cold sweat
• pallor,
• headache,
• profuse salivation,
• vomiting,
• weakness and trembling in the limbs,
• feeling of fear.

Carbon monoxide

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

Soot

Soot in the composition of tobacco smoke has a pronounced carcinogenic effect. When smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, about 750 grams enter the lungs per year. tar tar - a pronounced carcinogen.

Heavy hydrocarbons

It should be recalled that heavy smokers usually smoke quickly; at the same time, the cigarette combustion center is brought to especially high temperatures, which contributes to the synthesis of the most carcinogenic.

Ammonia

Due to the irritating effect of ammonia, bleeding from the gums is common in smokers.

The toxicity of tobacco smoke is very high. This is experienced by some beginner smokers who pass out before finishing their cigarette.

It was found that the total indicator of tobacco smoke pollution is a very large value: 384,000 MPC. In order to reduce toxicity to 1 MPC, that is, to make the air harmless, it is necessary to dilute tobacco smoke 384,000 times with fresh air. With a room volume of 25 m 3 , a single air exchange and one smoked cigarette for an hour, air pollution is 20 times higher than the MPC. 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.

Increase in toxicity depending on the place of work

Numerous studies have found that with the same indicators of air pollution with toxic substances and their mixtures (gasoline vapor, 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, machine-building, asbestos, cement, rubber, tire, flour-grinding, 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 some and the same production hazards. Smokers are particularly susceptible to developing byssinosis, a disease caused by exposure to cotton, hemp, and flax dust.

The risk of lung cancer from exposure to uranium and asbestos is significantly higher among smokers. The predominant negative impact of 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 content toxic substances. In the assembly shop, where air pollution is not pronounced, there is a statistically significant high prevalence of chronic bronchitis among smokers. In the 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 can be associated mainly with smoking in workers in workshops in which there is no sharp air pollution.

Also of interest is the fact that when smoking in cramped, poorly ventilated areas, such as in the passenger compartment of a car, the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in tobacco smoke can reach levels exceeding the MPC for industrial enterprises. After exposure to such conditions, non-smokers may moderately increase the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. In patients with chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema, coughing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks may occur.

The chemical composition of tobacco smoke
as a life factor
human body

Smoke tobacco air has left.

V. Mayakovsky, "Lilichka!" (1916)

H what is smoke (smoke)? This is a dispersed system consisting of a gaseous dispersion medium and a dispersed (finely ground) solid (dispersed phase). Tobacco smoke- this is the smoke generated during the smoking of tobacco products, this is a multicomponent system. The number of substances that make up tobacco smoke is in the thousands (from 1000 to 4000 substances have been identified, of which about 60 are carcinogens). Some substances are in a solid or liquid phase, some are in a gas state.

You can speak about the quality tobacco smoke - which substances are included in this system - and about the quantitative composition- how many, for example, micrograms (mcg - 10 -6 g, i.e. a millionth of a gram) of a substance are formed when one cigarette is smoked. You can also talk about the percentage of the total toxicity of cigarettes. For example, benzpyrene accounts for 4.6%, and carbon monoxide - 9.2%.

The main substance of tobacco smoke (active drug)- nicotine. One cigarette contains from 1.0 to 2.5 mg of nicotine (there is evidence that the nicotine content reaches 10 mg), a pack of cigarettes (20 pcs.) - 20–50 mg. lethal dose of nicotine– 50–100 mg for a non-smoker. For a smoker - 100-400 mg. Even 3-5 mg of nicotine can cause shortness of breath, fainting, nausea, dizziness, and a spasmodic state lasting up to three days (this is due to the excitation of nicotinic cholinergic receptors).

V chemical terms nicotine - alkaloid(a concept that is difficult to define, but in principle it is a specific group of nitrogen-containing organic matter vegetable or other natural origin, with high biological activity, and, depending on the concentration, both positive and negative effects), contained in the leaves and seeds of tobacco. Tobacco is a plant of the nightshade family, the nicotine content in it, depending on the variety, is 0.3–5%. Traces of nicotine are found in tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, eggplants - plants from the same family - but also found in club mosses, horsetail ...

The gross formula of nicotine is C 10 H 14 N 2. It is hygroscopic (adds water from the air), easily oxidized in air - up to resinification. It is a nitrogenous base, i.e. reacts with acids to form salts. In the form of salts, nicotine is found in tobacco, so tobacco itself does not smell like nicotine. The chemical structure of nicotine (Fig. 1) has been established by the work of many chemists.

Rice. 1. Nicotine

In addition to nicotine, tobacco leaves contain other alkaloids - nornicotine(C 9 H 12 N 2 - it does not have a methyl radical CH 3, which is replaced by a hydrogen atom) (Fig. 2), nicotine, anabasine etc. In the human body, nicotine is converted into nornicotine, which is fraught with serious fatal consequences (diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, accelerated aging). The metabolite of nicotine is cotinine(see Fig. 2) entering the urine. It turned out to be an excellent biomarker of nicotine concentration in the body - in smokers and passive smokers (including children of any age).

V premium tobacco, nicotine accounts for 0.8–1.3%, while third-rate tobacco contains 1.6–1.8%. According to US standards, the strength of tobacco has the following gradation: 0.6–1% - light(weak), 1–2% – medium(medium), 2–3% – strong(strong), 3-4% - extra strong(very strong). Tobacco is not suitable for smoking if it contains more than 4% nicotine.

In addition to nicotine, tobacco itself contains carbohydrates (starch, glucose) - 15–25%, alkaline substances - 16%, various organic acids (primarily citric acid, which binds nicotine into salt, a nicotinic acid) - 10%, polyphenols, glucosides, minerals - 10%, pectin - 6-10%, there are proteins in tobacco (including enzymes - amylase, catalase, carbonic anhydrase, etc.) - 10%, fats, resins, essential oils(aromatic and terpenoid compounds that affect smell). The smell of tobacco smoke depends on the type of tobacco, the ratio of carbohydrates (the more there are, the “tastier” the smoke) and proteins; a delicate aroma is determined by resin alcohol (or resin phenols, or glucosides). Freshly picked leaves are 80-90% water. The moisture content of finished tobacco (dried) is 12–18%. The chemical composition of tobacco depends on the variety, growing conditions, method and time of harvest, to a large extent - on the composition of the soil. A figure flashed: tobacco contains about 2,500 substances.

V physical plane Nicotine is a volatile, colorless oily liquid ( t kip \u003d 246 ° С, t pl \u003d - 30 ° С, ~ 1 g / cm 3). It is miscible with water in any ratio. Rotates the plane of the polarized beam to the left.

V biologically - a highly toxic liquid with an unpleasant odor and a burning taste. Causes paralysis of the nervous system, respiratory arrest, cessation of cardiac activity. In small doses, it causes physical and psychological dependence. Nicotine, getting into the blood, increases pressure, constricts peripheral vessels. Neither in the free nor in the chemically bound state, nicotine is used in medicine *.

In principle, why does tobacco (the plant itself) need nicotine? It is self-protection against being eaten by insects.

Cats are most sensitive to nicotine, and goats calmly eat nicotine-containing greens. Birds die if the room is filled with tobacco smoke. If a heavy smoker put a leech, it falls off and dies. Nicotine is well absorbed by the hair, which finds application in analytical practice.

V historical plan nicotine (probably in the form of salt) was isolated from tobacco by the French chemist Louis Vauquelin (1763–1829) in 1809. However, nicotine was obtained in a liquid state only in 1828 by the efforts of students at the University of Heidelberg (Germany) Wilhelm Posselt and Ludwig Reimann. They were the first to point out that nicotine is a “dangerous poison”, and in tobacco it is present in the form of a salt of citric acid (therefore, when nicotine is isolated, lime is used as an alkali in the first stage).

Nicotine got its name from the name of the French ambassador to Portugal, Jean Nicot de Villemain ( Jean Nicot, 1530–1600), who introduced tobacco to France in 1560.

Other substances found in tobacco and tobacco smoke include:

Phenol (C 6 H 5 -OH);

Ortho-, meta- and para-cresols (CH 3 -C 6 H 4 -OH);

Carbazole (C 12 H 8 = NH) (Fig. 3);

Indole (C 8 H 6 = NH) (Fig. 4);

Benzopyrenes (C 20 H 12 - five condensed benzene nuclei in the form of two isomers, both isomers are light yellow crystals; one of the isomers (Fig. 5) is a carcinogen (back in 1939, this was proved by the Brazilian scientist A. Raffo), substance 1- th hazard class) are formed during the combustion of all types of fuel, the permissible concentration in the air of populated areas is 0.001 μg / m 3, when smoking, it is formed at the moment of puffing;

Pyrene (C 16 H 10 - four symmetrically condensed benzene nuclei) (Fig. 6) irritates the skin, mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, eyes;

Rice. 6. Pyrene

Anthracene (C 14 H 10 - three sequentially condensed benzene nuclei), its action is similar to pyrene;

Carbon monoxide, or carbon monoxide (CO);

Carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide, CO 2);

Ammonia (NH3);

Hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN);

Isoprene (CH 2 \u003d C (CH 3) - CH \u003d CH 2);

Acetaldehyde (CH 3 -CH \u003d O);

Acrolein (CH 2 \u003d CH - CH \u003d O);

Hydrazine (H 2 N–NH 2);

Nitromethane (CH 3 -NO 2);

Nitrobenzene (C 6 H 5 -NO 2);

Acetone (CH 3 -CO - CH 3);

Benzene (C 6 H 6);

Dicyan (CN) 2 ;

Soot (C n- it accounts for 7.8% of cigarette toxicity);

Formic acid (H-COOH);

Acetic acid(CH 3 -COOH);

Butyric acid (CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 -COOH);

Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO 2, N 2 O 4, in a humid environment, the latter turn into nitric and nitrous acids, and nitric acid is a strong acid);

Aniline (C 6 H 5 -NH 2);

Butylamine (C 4 H 9 -NH 2);

Dimethylamine (CH 3 -NH-CH 3);

Ethylamine (CH 3 -CH 2 -NH 2);

Methyl alcohol (CH 3 -OH);

Methylamine (CH 3 -NH 2);

Formaldehyde (H-CHO);

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S);

Hydroquinone (HO–C 6 H 4 –OH, hydroxyl groups are in the para position);

Nitrosamines (N=O, where R can be methyl CH 3 , ethyl CH 3 CH 2);

2-naphthylamine (C 10 H 7 -NH 2) (Fig. 7) can cause a tumor of the bladder, lungs;

4-aminobiphenyl (C 6 H 5 -C 6 H 4 -NH 2) (Fig. 8), the target of attack is the bladder;

Pyridine (C 5 H 5 N, nitrogenous base, fragment of the nicotine molecule);

Styrene (C 6 H 5 -CH \u003d CH 2) affects hearing, vision, organs of touch;

2-methylpropanal ((CH 3) 2 CH–CHO);

Propionitrile (CH 3 -CH 2 -CN).

Formed during smoking and inorganic substances containing atoms of the following metals and non-metals: potassium (K) - 70 mcg; sodium (Na) - 1.3 mcg; zinc (Zn) - 0.36 µg; lead (Pb) - 0.24 μg; aluminum (Al) - 0.22 µg; copper (Cu) - 0.19 µg; cadmium (Cd) - 0.121 μg; nickel (Ni) - 0.08 µg; manganese (Mn) - 0.07 μg; antimony (Sb) - 0.052 µg; iron (Fe) - 0.042 µg; arsenic (As), in the form of oxide (III) - 0.012 µg; tellurium (Te) - 0.006 μg; bismuth (Bi) - 0.004 µg; mercury (Hg) - 0.004 µg; lanthanum (La) - 0.0018 µg; scandium (Sc) - 0.0014 µg; chromium (Cr) - 0.0014 µg; silver (Ag) - 0.0012 µg; selenium (Se) - 0.001 µg; cobalt (Co) - 0.0002 µg; cesium (Cs) - 0.0002 µg; gold (Au) - 0.00002 µg.

It should be emphasized that tobacco and tobacco smoke contain radioactive elements, i.e. alpha- and (or) beta-decaying radioactive isotopes of chemical elements: polonium 210 Po, lead 210 Pb (formed during the decay of uranium), thorium 228 Th, rubidium 87 Rb, cesium 137 Cs (artificial radionuclide), radium 226 Ra (formed during decay of uranium) and 228 Ra (formed during the decay of thorium).

Dose of radiation from a pack of cigarettes is equivalent to 200 x-rays. radioactive elements accumulate in the lungs, liver, pancreas, lymph nodes, bone marrow… The body of a smoker is 30 times more radioactive than a non-smoker.

In general, tobacco (tobacco smoke) attacks and infects the lungs, bladder, oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys, and the cardiovascular system suffers greatly. A living example: Pavel Luspekaev (the actor who played Vereshchagin in the film "The White Sun of the Desert"), due to obliterating endarteritis and associated gangrene, not only lost his legs, but also died at the age of 43. And the reason for this is persistent smoking, which he did not refuse even after the amputation. Such is the fate of the outstanding football goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who, however, lived to be 61 years old (he died in 1990).

TO the smoker inhales a “bouquet” of substances formed during the smoldering of tobacco contained in cigarettes, cigars, cigarettes, hand-rolled cigarettes, pipes, etc. Air oxygen is involved in this process, without which it is impossible oxidation, in this case - smoldering (flameless burning), which increases when new portions of air are drawn through the cigarette. When tightening (Fig. 9), the temperature reaches 600–800 °C and even more - over 1000 °C. Under these conditions, there is dry distillation (sublimation) and pyrolysis, i.e. high-temperature decomposition of substances without access to oxygen, and resins and low molecular weight substances are formed.

Rice. 9. Scheme of a lit cigarette

The products of pyrolysis and combustion, when drawn in, enter the respiratory tract, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, the resulting solid particles and resins settle on the surface (walls) of the respiratory tract, alveoli (lung sacs), i.e. the lungs become clogged (Fig. 10). The body reacts to this with cough, inflammation, allergies, degeneration of cellular tissue (because many tobacco smoke substances have a carcinogenic effect), emphysema (irreversible degeneration of lung tissue).

Nicotine itself is not a carcinogen. He is a cholinomimetic agent, in other words, mimics the action acetylcholine. It is known that the accumulation of acetylcholine first leads to an acceleration of the transmission of nerve impulses (excitation). Perhaps this is a factor in the enjoyment of smoking. Nicotine is addictive more than caffeine and marijuana, but less than alcohol, cocaine and heroin. Nicotine addiction occurs 5 months after the start of smoking. Getting rid of this addiction - quitting smoking - is quite difficult, although this process is individual: some people simply stop smoking, others quit and start again, others are treated ...

Let us briefly characterize the effect on the body of some other components of tobacco smoke that threaten human health and life.

Carbon monoxide (II). Enters into a chemical reaction with blood hemoglobin, 200 (and according to some sources - 300) times lighter than molecular oxygen, forms a stronger compound - carboxyhemoglobin. Consequently, oxygen is not delivered by the blood flow to the organs and tissues in the optimal amount - oxygen starvation occurs, which is dangerous primarily for the brain, heart muscle.

Ammonia. Once in the respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, lungs), it reacts with water (moisture of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract), forming ammonium hydroxide:

Hydroxide ions (OH -) not only irritate the mucous surface, but also corrode it (remember how it stings when soap solution gets into the eyes). Hence - cough, bronchitis, allergies ... It should be added that numerous nitrogenous compounds contained in tobacco and tobacco smoke are also bases and form hydroxide ions.

Hydrogen cyanide. It, like ammonia, acrolein, nitrogen oxides, destroys the cilia of the bronchial tree, which purify the air we inhale, which leads to lung pollution. In addition, hydrocyanic acid (a solution of hydrogen cyanide in water) acts on the oral cavity, lungs, blood, nervous, respiratory and digestive systems.

Aniline, nicotine, organic acids irritate the salivary glands, leading to salivation. Saliva, swallowed together with the listed substances, enters the stomach, promotes the secretion of gastric juice ( of hydrochloric acid) and, accordingly, the destruction of the stomach. Suffering at the same time autonomic system– when nicotine enters the body, it loses its ability to influence the gastrointestinal tract. Smoking on an empty stomach can lead to spasms, intestinal obstruction, and stomach cancer.

C a serious threat to human health, especially children, people who are already sick, including chronically ill, is the so-called "passive smoking"(table), i.e. stay in an atmosphere spoiled, poisoned actively smoking people. Tobacco smoldering products get into the environment, settle on furniture, on curtains ... It should be noted that getting rid of the smell of tobacco smoke is very difficult, and sometimes almost impossible.

table

in the United States in the mid-1990s. from passive smoking 3,000 people died every year. A number of countries have enacted laws prohibiting smoking in in public places, and in the Vatican - throughout its territory (44 hectares).

Passive smoking is dangerous for children. Passive smokers are more likely to catch colds - up to pneumonia (pneumonia). Due to smoking parents up to 80% increases the risk of diseases of the respiratory system, mental and physical development suffers.

Here are some statistics for the US. Long-term effects of passive smoking give 46,000 deaths per year: 14,000 from cancer, 32,000 from diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

California is the first state to legislate (January 27, 2006) to list tobacco smoke toxic substances polluting the air. The toxicity of tobacco smoke is more than 4 times higher than the toxicity of car exhaust gases.

In the United States, smoking shown on screen in movies has recently been equated with scenes of violence, sex, and foul language. The association of smoking with a goodie or when a cigarette is an attribute of courage, fortitude and independence is the basis for maximum punishment.

For those who are too addicted to nicotine, smokeless cigarettes have been invented. They do not contain tobacco, but do contain nicotine. They consist of a heating element and a replaceable nicotine filter.

Currently, the fight against smoking has developed on a broad front, because society as a whole has realized the perniciousness of addiction to smoking, the victims of which are both active and passive smokers- men, women, children. Smoking is a factor that generates diseases, the root cause of which is the substances contained in tobacco smoke.

Additional Information

Student argument: Whoever does not smoke or drink will die healthy.

Teacher's response: Smokers let in their mouths the enemy that steals their brains(English proverb).

L.N. Tolstoy (1828–1910): Every person of our modern average education recognizes it as bad manners ... to destroy the health of other people. No one will allow himself to urinate in a room where there are people, or spoil the air ... But out of a thousand Kurts, not one will be ashamed to blow unhealthy smoke, where women, children who do not smoke, breathe the air, without feeling the slightest reproach of conscience.

Johann Goethe (1749–1832, quit smoking at 50): You get cloudy from smoking. It is incompatible with creative work.

I.P. Pavlov (1849–1936): Do not drink wine, do not confuse your heart with tobacco - and you will live as long as Titian lived(Italian artist, lived for almost a hundred years).

A. Alekhin (1892–1946): Nicotine weakens memory and willpower - qualities that are essential for chess mastery. I can say that I myself was convinced of winning the match for the world championship only when I weaned myself from addiction to tobacco.(They did not smoke or do not smoke - A. Karpov, M. Botvinnik, V. Smyslov, T. Petrosyan, B. Spassky. All are outstanding chess players.)

A.P. Chekhov (1860–1904): After I quit smoking, I do not have a gloomy mood.(From a letter to A.S. Suvorin.)

A.N. Tolstoy (1882–1945, quit smoking at 60): Since then, I have become a different person. I sit up to five hours in a row at work, I get up very fresh, and before, when I smoked, I felt tired, dizzy, nauseous, foggy in my head.

N.A. Semashko (1874–1949): Every chicken should know and remember that he poisons not only himself, but also others.

Shimon Peres (b. 1923, 1994 - Nobel Peace Prize, elected President of Israel on June 13, 2007), according to him, smoked three packs a day, quit smoking and has not smoked for 20 years.

V.V. Mayakovsky (1893–1930): Citizens, / I have / great joy ... / Do not worry, I inform you: / citizens - / I / today - / quit smoking.("I am happy!", 1929)

Honore de Balzac (1799–1850): Along with the smoke, health leaves you, which is very difficult to return. It's not too late to think about it. Tobacco harms the body, destroys the mind, stupefies entire nations.

F.G. Uglov (1904–2008, an outstanding surgeon, lived for almost 104 years): I am painfully sorry for human health, cynically, thoughtlessly translated into smoke. I'm unbearably sorry for the lives that decayed on the tip of a cigarette.

Allen Carr: (1934–2006). Since I smoked my last cigarette 23 years ago, I have become the most happy man on the ground.(He started smoking at 18. Until 1983, he smoked five packs of cigarettes a day. The decision came - he quit smoking; he wrote the book "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking." But years of persistent smoking led to lung cancer.)

The fate of the Reynolds family (Reynolds Sr. - founder of the tobacco company - production of Camel, Winston, Salem). Grandfather chewed tobacco, died of cancer. The father died of emphysema and heart disease, the mother died of cancer, two aunts (heavy smokers) died of emphysema and cancer, respectively. The son of Reynolds Jr. smoked for 10 years and developed a lung disease, his brothers suffer from (no other information yet) emphysema.

Tobacco smoke and its victims: Nat "King" Cole died at 45, singer, smoked more than three packs of cigarettes - lung cancer; mary wells, pop singer, died at 49 - throat cancer; Steve McQueen died at 50, actor ("The Magnificent Seven"), heavy smoker - lung cancer; Rod Serling died at 51, writer, smoked four packs a day - heart disease; Eddie Kendricks died at 52, singer-songwriter, lung cancer; Michael Landon died at 54, actor, writer, smoked four packs a day - pancreatic cancer; Lee Remick died at 56, film actress, - cancer of the lungs and kidneys; betty grable died at 56, dancer, singer, actress, heavy smoker, smoked up to three packs of cigarettes a day - lung cancer; Edward R Murrow died at 57, famous journalist, smoked 60-70 cigarettes a day all his life - lung cancer; Humphrey Bogart died at 57, actor, heavy smoker and drinker - cancer of the throat and esophagus; James Franciscus died at 57, film and television actor, - emphysema; Dick Powell died at 58, singer, actor, producer - throat cancer; Gary Cooper died at 60, film actor, prostate cancer, lung cancer; Chet Huntley died at 62, TV presenter, - lung cancer; Dick York died at 63, actor, - emphysema; Sammy Davis died at 64, actor, singer, dancer - throat cancer; Walt Disney died at 65, multiplier, long smoking history - lung cancer; Yul Brynner died at 65, film actor ("The Magnificent Seven"), smoked a lot - lung cancer; Tallulah Bankhead died at 66, actress, - bilateral pneumonia as a consequence of influenza, together with emphysema; Sarah Vaughan died at 66, the greatest jazz singer of the 20th century, - lung cancer; Colleen Dewhurst died at 67, Canadian film actress, - lung cancer; Harry Reasoner died at 68, journalist, retired due to lung cancer, fell, hit his head, had a blood clot in his brain; Alan J. Lerner died at 68, lyricist, librettist, 20 years of fighting amphetamine addiction - lung cancer; Desi Arnaz died at 69, musician, artist, had problems with alcohol, drugs, died of lung cancer; Nancy Walker died at 69, actress, mature smoker, lung cancer; Buster Keaton died at 70, comedian, filmmaker, lung cancer; Art Blakey died at 71, drummer musician, - lung cancer; Neville Brand died at 72, TV and film actor, - emphysema; Ed Sullivan died at 72, showman, - lung cancer; John Wayne died at 72, film actor, - stomach cancer; Duke Ellington died at the age of 75, performer and composer of jazz music, pianist, - lung cancer; Denver Pyle died at 77, TV and film actor, - lung cancer; Robert Mitchum died at 79, film actor and singer, a combination of lung cancer and emphysema; Arthur Godfrey died at 80, radio announcer, - lung cancer - irradiation - emphysema.

Due to addiction to smoking and subsequent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the following died: writer Maxim Gorky, actor and theater figure Oleg Efremov, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU Konstantin Chernenko (as well as his brother and sister).

Roy Castle (1932–1994) – English dancer, singer, talented jazz trumpeter, worked a lot in clubs and restaurants, "acquired" lung cancer, although he never smoked in his life, but it turns out he was passive smoker .

D.I. Mendeleev (1834–1907) was a stubborn smoker, he smoked almost continuously, two hours without smoking is already a tragedy. He often coughed, sometimes there was blood in his throat. Weak, smoky lungs inflamed from a minor cold. And even dying, he invited his sister Mary, who visited him, to smoke.

The fate of Vitaliy Starukhin, a unique player of the Shakhtar team in the 1970s, is similar. According to his son, he "smoked a lot ... smoked Bulgarian cigarettes, which always ripped off the filter." There were problems with the stomach, then pneumonia, throat bleeding and death at 51.

Famous pop song performers Alla Pugacheva (she, in principle, understands that it’s time to “tie up”, and even tried ...) and Irina Allegrova became slaves of nicotine (read - tobacco smoke), heavy smokers. Lolita Milyavskaya, Alexander Vasiliev, Boris Grebenshchikov, Irina Ponarovskaya, Nikolai Rastorguev, Leonid Agutin are also addicted to smoking.

Numerous compounds have been found in tobacco and tobacco smoke, among which nicotine, isolated as early as 1809 from tobacco leaves, is one of the most important agents acting on the human body.
The components of tobacco smoke arise by sublimation of volatile and semi-volatile substances from tobacco leaves and the splitting of their constituents under the action of high temperature. In addition, there are non-volatile substances that turn into smoke without decay.
When the smoker inhales, he inhales the main stream of smoke. The aerosol emitted by the burning cone of the cigarette 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 glass fiber filter is defined as the particulate phase, while the part of the smoke passing through the filter is defined as the gas phase.
Smoke aerosols are highly concentrated, airborne, liquid particles that make up tar. Each particle consists of many organic and inorganic compounds dispersed in a gaseous medium, consisting primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, as well as a large number 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 stream of smoke inhaled by a smoker is 32% when smoking cigarettes without a filter, and 23% of the total amount of smoke with a filter. Most of the smoke is released into the environment, where it is inhaled by non-smokers - the so-called passive smokers.
There is evidence that between 55 and 70% of the tobacco in cigarettes is burned between puffs, which is the source of sidestream smoke and ash.
The main factors influencing the temperature of a burning cigarette are the length and circumference of the cigarette, the filler substance, the type of tobacco or mixture, the packing density, the way the tobacco is cut, the quality of the cigarette paper and filter, etc. The temperature of the smoldering tobacco is 300 ° C, and during tightening it reaches 900-1100°C. The temperature of tobacco smoke is about 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 over 3 cm along the tobacco column.
According to numerous data, a burning cigarette is like a unique chemical factory that produces more than 4 thousand different compounds, including more than 40 carcinogens and at least 12 cancer-promoting substances (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. one.

Table 1. Main gas components of tobacco smoke
Volatile substances Content, mcg
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 phase of tobacco smoke containing solid particles mainly includes nicotine, water and tar - tobacco tar.
The composition of the resin includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cancer-causing, including nitrosamines, aromatic amines, isoprenoid, pyrene, benz (a) pyrene, chrysene, anthracene, fluoranthene, etc. In addition, the resin contains simple and complex phenols, cresols, naphthols, naphthalenes, etc.
Relevant 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
Chryzen 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
Chromium 0.0014
Silver 0.0012
Settlements 0.001
Cobalt 0.0002
Cesium 0.0002
Gold 0.00002

In addition, the same phase contains elements that are difficult to quantification: silicon, calcium, titanium, strontium, thallium, polonium. Thus, in addition to the substances of the gas phase and specific components, the composition of 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 the smoke, each smoker can easily determine how much tobacco tar with all its components has already been introduced into his respiratory organs.
In recent years, there has been a trend towards a decrease in the content of tar and nicotine in cigarettes. For example, cigarettes manufactured in the USA contain 2.2 mg of nicotine and 31.0 mg of tar per 1 kg of tobacco, while cigarettes manufactured in Italy contain 2.68 mg of nicotine and 2.68 mg of nicotine per kg of tobacco. 50.38 mg of resinous substances. Currently being developed new technology, allowing to reduce the content of nicotine to 1.0 mg, and tarry substances - to 14.0 mg. However, it should be noted that the decrease in harmful substances in cigarettes leads, as a rule, to a quantitative increase in their consumption per smoker.
Because tobacco smoke contains many different components, pharmacological effect smoking is associated not only with nicotine, but also with the complex effect of all the components of smoke. However, nicotine is the main pharmachologic effect characteristic of tobacco smoke.
Some researchers have studied the problem of nicotine metabolism. Nicotine can be quantified using radiochemical methods. At present, a highly sensitive gas chromatographic method for the determination of nicotine (up to 0.6 nmol/l) and the main metabolite of nicotine - cotinine (up to 0.57 nmol/l) has been developed.
Most of the absorbed nicotine quickly breaks down in the body, is partially excreted by the kidneys; while the main organ providing detoxification is the liver, where nicotine is converted into less active cotinine.
R. Wilcox et al. (1979) studied the concentration of nicotine and cotinine in the urine of a group of smokers. After smoking cessation, cotinine persisted in the urine longer than nicotine and was detectable up to 36 hours after the last cigarette was smoked. When this method was used on patients who had previously had a myocardial infarction, in order to make sure that they really quit smoking, it turned out that only 46-53% of those examined had stopped smoking.
Thus, the determination of nicotine and cotinine in the urine can simultaneously be useful for verifying the patient's smoking.
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 phase 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 replaced by tachycardia, a positive inotropic effect, increased blood pressure, spasm of peripheral skin vessels and expansion of the coronary vessels due to stimulation of the sympathetic ganglia and the release of catecholamines.
The pharmacological effects of nicotine in tobacco smoke are preceded by absorption of the latter. Partial absorption occurs in the oral cavity; over 90% of inhaled nicotine is absorbed by the lungs. Between 82 and 90% of other constituents of tobacco smoke are also absorbed.
An important factor in nicotine absorption is the pH of tobacco smoke. At the same time, 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 to cigarette smoking. D. Naquira et al. (1978) found an increase in the content of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-β-hydroxylase in the hypothalamus and adrenal medulla after a two-week administration of nicotine to rats, but did not reveal a change in the content of tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum.
As P. Cryer et al. (1976), J. Emele (1977), a distinct effect of tobacco smoking on cardiovascular system related to the amount of absorbed nicotine. The observed reactions are due to irritation of the sympathetic nervous system, i.e. stimulation of sympathetic ganglia, adrenal medulla and release of endogenous catecholamines. At the same time, there is an increase in heart rate, an increase in blood pressure, stroke volume of the heart, myocardial contractility and oxygen consumption, coronary blood flow, and increased arrhythmias. Activation of chemoreceptors in carotid and aortic bodies causes vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure. It is also believed that an increase in the level of corticoids in the blood serum after smoking cigarettes with a high content of nicotine sensitizes the myocardium to the effects of catecholamines, which leads 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 healthy individuals, nicotine causes dilatation of the coronary arteries and an increase in coronary blood flow. Against the background of atherosclerotic changes, the opposite effect takes place.
The effects of nicotine on the respiratory system are difficult to assess because respiratory functions are affected by both particulate matter and gases contained in cigarette smoke, including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Tobacco smoke causes acute bronchospasm due to the release of histamine and stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system in the lungs. Subsequently, bronchial dilatation occurs, possibly associated with sympathetic stimulation.
Smoking can cause many functional and organic lesions. Smoking is associated with deterioration in memory, attention and observation, growth retardation and sexual development in children, morphological changes in spermatozoa, decreased sexual potency, infertility, pregnancy disorders, fetal growth retardation, the birth of children with low body weight, miscarriages, decreased performance, deterioration in appearance and etc.
Smoking also causes a change in the body's response to the action of many medicines. Smoking can have a direct or indirect effect on the therapeutic effect of many drugs. The direct effect is expressed in a direct change in the effect of drugs in smokers. Smoking accelerates the metabolism of drugs by stimulating their breakdown under the influence of liver enzymes. This reduces the therapeutic effect of the drugs used, 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 drugs, the effect of which is changed under the influence of 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. These diseases include ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, allergies, peptic ulcers, respiratory diseases, diseases of the vessels of the brain and peripheral vessels, etc.
There is evidence in the literature that smoking is a genetic hazard. So, in persons who smoke more than 30 cigarettes a day, morphological changes in sperm occur 2 times more often than in non-smokers, and the number of exchange-type aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes is 6 times higher than the control level. Increases in perinatal mortality, spontaneous abortions, and congenital malformations reflecting chromosomal abnormalities observed in women whose husbands smoke.

The purpose of this article is to provide smokers with valuable information about what they smoke - it's about chemical composition cigarettes and tobacco smoke, which for some reason are not written about anywhere, neither on cigarette packs, nor in advertisements, they do not talk about it on TV, medicine does not pay attention to it, the government is interested that you never know this. I'll tell you honestly, I can't look at such a situation and just keep silent on the sidelines. If others do this, it does not mean that I will do the same - be 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 the tobacco companies indicate. Research was done and it turned out that the tobacco companies are not so honest - the nicotine and tar figures were about 10 times higher than the figures given 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 chemicals, and tobacco smoke contains about 5,000 chemicals, of which about 60 cause cancer. Do you know what kind of radiation we get from x-rays. After all, it was not casually established that X-rays can be done only 2 times a year, since in this case there is a strong radiation on 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 what kind of blow the body receives from each smoked cigarette?

Nicotine is the main substance for which tobacco products are consumed. Indirect evidence of this is the repeated attempts to produce nicotine-free cigarettes, which have failed everywhere on the market. Try it, buy nicotine-free cigarettes 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 into the blood, accumulates in the most vital organs, leading to disruption of their functions. V 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- nicotinism, characterized by a weakening of memory, a decrease in efficiency. Everyone knows that “a drop of nicotine kills a horse”, but only a few guess that a person is not a horse and therefore for him the lethal dose is only 60 mg of nicotine, and even less for children. 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. Smoke enters the mouth as a concentrated aerosol. When cooled, it condenses and forms a resin that settles in the respiratory tract. The substances contained in the resin cause cancer and other lung diseases, such as paralysis of the cleaning process in the lungs and damage to the alveolar sacs. They also reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Carcinogens in tobacco smoke have a different chemical nature. They consist of 44 individual substances, 12 groups or mixtures of chemicals, and 13 contributing 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 the actual carcinogens, tobacco smoke also contains the so-called co-carcinogens, that is, substances that contribute to the implementation of the action of carcinogens. These include, for example, catechol.

Nitrosamines are a group of carcinogens derived from tobacco alkaloids. They are the etiological factor malignant tumors lungs, esophagus, pancreas, oral cavity in people who use tobacco. When interacting with nitrosamines, DNA molecules change their structure, which is the beginning of malignant growth. Modern cigarettes, despite the apparent reduction in tar content, cause a greater intake of nitrosamines into the body of the smoker. And with a decrease in the intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the body of a smoker 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. Concerning elevated level carbon monoxide in the lungs and blood of a smoker reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, which affects the functioning of all body tissues. The brain and muscles (including the heart) cannot operate at their full potential without an adequate supply of oxygen. 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 coronary artery narrowing, which can lead to heart attacks.

Polonium-210 is the first element in order of atomic numbers that does not have stable isotopes. It occurs naturally, but in uranium ores, its concentration is 100 trillion times less than that of uranium. It is easy to guess that it is difficult to mine 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 by 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 clearing system can lead to the accumulation of toxic substances in the lungs, increasing the chance of developing disease. Hydrocyanic acid exposure is not limited to the cilia of the respiratory tract. Hydrocyanic acid refers to substances of the so-called general toxic action. The mechanism of its effect on the human body is a violation 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 action. 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 as "spicy oil"), like 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 general toxic substance, and also increases the risk of developing oncological diseases. Excretion 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.

Nitric oxides (nitric oxide and the more dangerous nitrogen dioxide) are found in tobacco smoke in fairly high concentrations. 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. When poisoning with nitrogen oxides, nitrates and nitrites are formed in the blood. Nitrates and nitrites, acting directly on the arteries, cause vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. Getting into the blood, nitrites form a stable compound with hemoglobin - methemoglobin, prevent the transfer of oxygen by hemoglobin and the supply of oxygen to the organs of the body, which leads to oxygen deficiency. Thus, nitrogen dioxide acts mainly on the respiratory tract and lungs, and also causes changes in the composition of the blood, in particular, reduces the content of hemoglobin in the blood. The impact of nitrogen dioxide on the human body reduces resistance to diseases, causes oxygen starvation of tissues, especially in children. It also enhances the action of carcinogens, contributing to the occurrence of malignant neoplasms. Nitrogen dioxide affects the 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 nitric oxide coming from outside with tobacco smoke, its endogenous synthesis in tissues decreases, which leads to vasoconstriction and respiratory tract. At the same time, exogenous portions of nitric oxide can lead to short-term expansion of the bronchi and a deeper intake of tobacco smoke into the lungs. Nitric oxides are not accidentally 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 has also been discovered. NO is released in the nervous tissue under the influence of incoming nicotine. This leads to a decrease in the release of sympathetic neurotransmitters in the brain and alleviation of stress. On the other hand, dopamine reuptake is inhibited and increased concentrations create the rewarding effect of nicotine.

Free radicals are molecules in which there are atoms that are formed during the combustion of tobacco. Free radicals of tobacco smoke, together with other highly active substances, such as peroxide compounds, constitute a group of oxidants that are involved in the implementation of the so-called oxidative stress and play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and chronic lung disease. They are currently playing a major role in the development of smoker's bronchitis. In addition, free radical products of tobacco smoke most actively affect upper divisions respiratory tract, causing inflammation and atrophy of the mucosa rear wall pharynx and trachea, and exert their detrimental effect mainly in the alveolar region of the lungs, in the walls of blood vessels, changing their structure and function.

76 metals are present 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 a tobacco leaf is determined by the conditions of tobacco cultivation, the composition of fertilizers, as well as weather conditions. For example, rainfall has been observed to increase the metal content of tobacco leaves.

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

Nickel belongs to a 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 consequences of exposure to cadmium are most pronounced in those people who have a deficiency of zinc and calcium in the diet. Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys. He possesses toxic effect on the kidneys and contributes to a decrease in mineral density bone tissue. As a result, cadmium interferes with the course of pregnancy, increasing the risk of underweight fetus and preterm birth.

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

Radioactive components are found 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 the tobacco leaf contains the isotopes cesium-134 and cesium-137 of Chernobyl origin. It is well 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 normally receive from natural sources. This constant exposure, either alone or synergistically with other carcinogens, may contribute to the development of cancer. A study of Polish cigarette smoke showed that inhalation of tobacco smoke is the main source of intake of polium-210 and lead-210 in the smoker's body. At the same time, it was found that the smoke of different brands of cigarettes can differ significantly in radioactivity, and the cigarette filter adsorbs only a small part radioactive substances.
And as you may have guessed, the list goes on and on. I have written the most important components of cigarettes and tobacco smoke - these are the most dangerous chemical substances for any living organism. Now you know the whole truth about tobacco and it's up to you to decide what to do with this information.

From the pier

This is the general name for the complex mixture of toxic substances that a smoker inhales in the form of particles. By definition, resin is all that is contained in tobacco smoke, except for gases, nicotine and water. Each particle consists of many organic and inorganic substances, among which there are many volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

Smoke enters the mouth as a concentrated aerosol. On cooling, it condenses and forms resin that settles in the airways. Contained in resin substances cause cancer and other diseases of the lungs, such as paralysis of the purification process in the lungs and damage to the alveolar sacs. They also reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Among those present at tobacco smoke carcinogens, two classes of causative agents of malignant tumors are distinguished: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (for example, benzpyrene) and specific for tobacco(that is, not contained in other natural substances) nitrosamines. There are no rules anywhere in the world requiring that tobacco companies reduced or controlled the concentration of these carcinogens in tobacco smoke. The concept of " resin » not suitable as a basis for regulation tobacco products. For example, when Poland measured the content of two carcinogens in cigarettes different brands, it turned out that their level in cigarettes well-known international brands was 334 times higher than in local cigarettes although the content resin in international stamps it was less. As new ones are constantly being developed tobacco products, then in the future the concept resin "can change beyond recognition.

In connection with the foregoing, many researchers consider the very concept of " resin » are deceptive and offer to abandon its measurement, and instead measure the content of specific especially dangerous components of it.

K carcinogens

Carcinogens tobacco smoke have different chemical nature. In addition to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines listed above, tobacco smoke contains other organic and inorganic compounds that may have carcinogenic action.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) refers to " Carcinogens of the first group” 44 individual substances, 12 groups or mixtures of chemicals and 13 conditions that contribute to exposure. Nine of these 44 substances are present in the main stream tobacco smoke. These are benzene, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, chromium, 2-naphthylamine, vinyl chloride, 4-aminobiphenyl, and beryllium.

In addition to carcinogens, tobacco smoke also contains the so-called co-carcinogens, that is, substances that contribute to the implementation of the action carcinogens. These include, for example, catechol.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

This is a large class of organic carcinogens, present in significant numbers in tobacco smoke and representing exactly what is traditionally understood by " resin ". Their main mechanism carcinogenic effect is the formation of compounds with DNA molecules. There is an idea of ​​a multi-stage process carcinogenesis with the participation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, during which the process is first initialized carcinogenesis, and then the initialized cells turn into malignant. In this process are involved carcinogens, and co-carcinogens. One of the most famous representatives of this class is benzpyrene, which was isolated from coal resin in the 1930s, and has since been regarded as a classic example carcinogens.

N nitrosamines

Tobacco N-nitrosamines are a group carcinogens formed from alkaloids tobacco. They are the etiological factor in malignant tumors of the lungs, esophagus, pancreas, oral cavity in people who consume tobacco. When interacting with nitrosamines, DNA molecules change their structure, which is the beginning of malignant growth.

Modern cigarettes, despite the apparent decrease in the content pitches, cause more intake into the body smoker nitrosamines. And with a decrease in intake smoker polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and an increase in the intake of nitrosamines is associated with a change in the incidence of lung cancer, with a decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and an increase in the number of cases of adenocarcinoma.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide(carbon monoxide) is a colorless and odorless gas present in high concentrations in cigarette smoke. Its ability to combine with hemoglobin is 200 times higher than that of oxygen. As a result, elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the lungs and blood smoker reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen, which affects the functioning of all body tissues. The brain and muscles (including the heart) cannot operate at their full potential without an adequate supply of oxygen. The heart and lungs must work harder to compensate for the reduced oxygen supply to the body. Carbon monoxide also damages the walls of the arteries and increases the risk of narrowing of the coronary vessels, which can lead to heart attacks.

Hydrocyanic acid

Hydrogen cyanide or hydrocyanic acid has a direct detrimental effect on the natural cleansing mechanism of the lungs through the effect on the cilia of the bronchial tree. Damage to this clearing system can lead to the accumulation of toxic substances in the lungs, increasing the chance of developing disease.

Impact hydrocyanic acid not limited to airway cilia. Hydrocyanic acid refers to substances of the so-called general toxic action. The mechanism of its effect on the human body is a violation 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 event of an impact tobacco smoke on the body, all these processes mutually aggravate the effect of each other. 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.

Besides hydrocyanic acid v tobacco smoke there are other components that directly affect the cilia in the lungs. These are acrolein, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde.

And crolein

Acrolein(translated from Greek as "spicy oil"), as well as carbon monoxide, is a product of incomplete combustion. Acrolein has a pungent odor, irritates mucous membranes and is a strong lachrymator, that is, it causes lacrimation. In addition, like hydrocyanic acid, acrolein refers to substances of general toxic action, and also increases the risk of developing cancer. Excretion from the body of metabolites acrolein 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.

About nitrogen oxides

nitrogen oxides (Nitric oxide and more dangerous nitrogen dioxide) are contained in tobacco smoke at fairly high concentrations. They can cause damage to the lungs leading to emphysema. nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) reduces the body's resistance to respiratory diseases, which can lead to the development of, for example, bronchitis. In case of poisoning nitrogen oxides nitrates and nitrites are formed in the blood. The latter, acting directly on the arteries, cause vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. Getting into the blood, nitrites form a stable compound with hemoglobin - methemoglobin, prevent the transfer of oxygen by hemoglobin and the supply of oxygen to the organs of the body, which leads to oxygen deficiency.

In this way, nitrogen dioxide affects mainly the respiratory tract and lungs, and also causes changes in the composition of the blood, in particular, reduces the content of hemoglobin in the blood.

Impact on the human body nitrogen dioxide reduces resistance to diseases, causes oxygen starvation of tissues, especially in children. It also enhances the effect carcinogenic substances that contribute to the development of malignant neoplasms. nitrogen dioxide affects the 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 coming from outside tobacco smoke nitric oxide, its endogenous synthesis in tissues decreases, which leads to vasoconstriction and respiratory tract. At the same time, exogenous portions of nitric oxide can lead to a short-term expansion of the bronchi and a deeper intake tobacco smoke into the lungs.

nitrogen oxides not accidentally present in tobacco smoke, since their entry into the respiratory tract enhances absorption nicotine.

In recent years, the role of nitric oxide in the formation nicotine addiction. NO released in the nervous tissue under the influence of the incoming nicotine. This leads to a decrease in the release of sympathetic neurotransmitters in the brain and alleviation of stress. On the other hand, dopamine reuptake is inhibited and increased concentrations create the rewarding effect of nicotine.

C free radicals

When burning tobacco, like any other material, there is a chain chemical reaction with the participation of oxygen or nitrogen atoms, which, due to unfilled electron orbitals, are distinguished by a high ability to interact with various substances. Molecules containing such atoms are called free radicals. free radicals tobacco smoke Together with other highly active substances, for example, peroxide compounds, they constitute a group of oxidants that are involved in the implementation of the so-called oxidative stress and, according to modern concepts, play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, chronic obstructive disease lungs. They are currently playing a major role in the development of bronchitis. smoker. But oxidants are formed not only at the moment of combustion tobacco, but also upon contact of submicroscopic suspended particles resin and other solid products tobacco smoke (nicotine, benzpyrene) with the cell membrane of alveolar macrophages. That phagocytosis of particulate matter tobacco smoke actually occurs in the lungs, evidenced by characteristic morphological changes in alveolar macrophages smokers- sand staining of the cytoplasm with intense yellow inclusions. For this reason, such macrophages can be considered as biological markers. smoker. Endogenous oxidants are formed immeasurably more than they are contained in tobacco smoke. The period of their influence is longer, since it is not directly limited by time. smoking. In addition, free radical tobacco smoke products most actively affect the upper sections of the respiratory tract, causing inflammation and atrophy of the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall and trachea, while endogenous oxidants exert their detrimental effect mainly in the alveolar region of the lungs, in the walls of blood vessels, changing their structure and functions.

Metals

V tobacco smoke found in trace amounts 76 metals, 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.

• X rum

Hexavalent chromium long known as carcinogen, and the trivalent chromium is an essential nutrient, that is, an indispensable component of food. At the same time, there are detoxification pathways in the body that allow you to restore the hexavalent chromium to trivalent. With inhalation effect chrome associated with the development of asthma.

• Nickel

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

• K admium

Cadmium is heavy metal, for which a beneficial physiological effect is not known. The most common source cadmium is an smoking although it may also be ingested with food. Consequences of exposure cadmium are most pronounced in those people who have a deficiency zinc and calcium in food.

Cadmium accumulates in the body due to its reabsorption in the kidneys and the absence of biological processes that contribute to its removal from the body. He possesses toxic effect on the kidneys and contributes to a decrease in bone mineral density. Cadmium also affects the synthesis of progesterone, either increasing it in small doses or inhibiting it in large doses. The effect of bivalent accumulated in the body cadmium also depends on the place of application of its action. The synthesis of progesterone in corpus luteum in the ovaries rather increases, and in the placenta rather weakens. As a result cadmium interferes with pregnancy, increasing the risk of underweight fetus and preterm birth.

• Iron

Iron can also be one of the components of the particle phase tobacco smoke. Inhalation gland can lead to the development of respiratory cancer.

radioactive substances

TO radioactive components found in very high concentrations in tobacco smoke, include polonium-210, lead-210 and potassium-40. In addition, radium-226, radium-228 and thorium-228 are also present. Research in Greece has shown that tobacco leaf contains isotopes cesium-134 and cesium-137 of Chernobyl origin.

It is clearly established that radioactive components are carcinogens. In the lungs of smokers deposits of polonium-210 and lead-210 were recorded, due to which smokers are exposed to much higher doses of radiation than the doses that people usually receive from natural sources. It is continuous exposure, either on its own or in synergy with other carcinogens may contribute to the development of cancer. Study smoke Polish cigarettes showed that inhalation tobacco smoke is the main source of intake of polnium-210 and lead-210 in the body smoker. At the same time, it was found that smoke different brands cigarettes may differ significantly in radioactivity, and cigarette filter adsorbs only a small part of radioactive substances.

(xtypo_quote) Cigarettes could be less radioactive
In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Dade Moller, an expert in radiation and professor at Harvard University School of Public Health, urged manufacturers cigarettes take the seemingly odd step of removing radiation from tobacco. He called for the development of a removal process radioactive material from cigarettes what could do smoking less dangerous, reducing the risk of lung cancer. “Their answer was that people don’t know what cigarettes contain radioactive materials, and that any such effort would only draw attention to it,” recalls Moller. He and his colleagues at Harvard say the threat is serious enough to add another warning on packs. cigarettes. It would look like this: “Head Doctor’s Warning: Cigarettes are an important source radioactive radiation." Given the public's fear of radiation, such information can improve efficiency anti-smoking programs. In a 1964 article in the journal Science, Harvard scientists reported that tobacco contains relatively high concentration natural radioactive material Polonium-210, which remains in tobacco in the manufacturing process cigarettes. When a person lights up, Polonium-210 becomes a gas and is inhaled. Scientists have found that Polonium-210 is deposited in a small area at the site of the bifurcation of the bronchi. Interestingly, this is the same area where lung cancer usually starts. So these areas get large dose radiation. The annual dose of bronchial epithelium in a person who smokes 1.5 packs cigarettes per day, equivalent to the dose of radiation from approximately 1,500 X-ray examinations chest. Annual radiation dose smoker more than 12 times the safety standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency, Commission on nuclear settlement and the US Department of Energy.

Tatyana Andreeva and Konstantin Krasovsky

It has long been no secret that tobacco smoke contains about four thousand chemicals - organic and inorganic compounds, most of which pose a great danger to the health of living beings. Four thousand! Just think about this number! This mixture of poisons, carcinogens and other most harmful chemicals, which is so frivolously inhaled by a smoker, which is fatal to all living things, accumulates in his body and, hour after hour, does his dark deed to weaken his health. The negative impact of cigarette smoke is highly extended over time, so the impact of each subsequent cigarette is negligible, which calms the smoker and prevents him from looking objectively at the situation. Of course, if the negative consequences of smoking came immediately and significantly reduced the health and working capacity of the smoker, the number of people who want to smoke would obviously decrease in the world.

A cigarette is a real chemical waste factory, containing an extensive list of organic and inorganic substances that are most harmful to humans and all living things in general. 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. What is the reason for the presence of all these substances in tobacco products, I do not know, 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 in order to protect 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:

• 1. 1-aminonaphthalene- carcinogen
• 2. 2-aminonaphthalene- Carcinogen, promotes the development of bladder cancer
• 3. 2,4-dimethylphenol- depresses higher nerve centers, leads to degenerative changes in the liver, lung myocardium, breakdown of red blood cells
• 4. 1,3-butadiene- carcinogen
• 5. N-nitrosodimethylamine- toxic effect
• 6. N-nitrosodimethylethylamine- toxic effect
• 7. Acrolein– highly toxic, irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract
• 8. Ammonia- Causes asthma and raises blood pressure
• 9. Anthracene– causes swelling of the eyelids, irritation of the mucous membrane of the throat, nose, prolonged exposure leads to a decrease in body weight gain, causes fibroid diseases in women
• 10. Acetaldehyde– promotes the absorption of other harmful substances by the lungs, possibly a carcinogen
• 11. Acetone Causes irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, leading to damage to the liver and kidneys over time
• 12. Acrylonitrile (vinyl cyanide)- Possibly a carcinogen
• 13. Benzo(a)pyrene– causes cancer of the lungs and skin, can lead to infertility, carcinogen
• 14. Benzene– causes several types of cancer, including leukemia, a carcinogen
• 15. Butyraldehyde- affects the mucous membranes of the lungs and nose, the strongest irritant
• 16. hydroquinone- renders harmful effect on the central nervous system, causes eye damage and skin irritation
• 17. DDD and DDT-insecticides
• 18. Isoprene– irritation of skin, eyes and mucous membranes, possible carcinogen
• 19. Carbazole- strong poison
• 20. catechol- increases blood pressure, irritates upper respiratory tract, may cause dermatitis
• 21. Cresol– acute throat aspiration, nasal congestion and irritation of the upper respiratory tract
• 22. Crotonaldehyde– reduces immunity, can cause changes in chromosomes
• 23. Methyl ethyl ketone- depresses the nervous system, irritates the eyes, nose and throat
• 24. Naphthylamine- leads to oxygen starvation of the brain, causes headaches, depresses neuropsychic activity
• 25. Nicotine- an extremely strong drug and poison, causes nausea, convulsions, irritation of the central nervous system and growth retardation, undermines proper development fetus
• 26. Nitrobenzene- causes weakness, drowsiness, lack of appetite, nausea, with long-term exposure leads to irreversible changes in blood vessels
• 27. Nitromethane- leads to an increase in heart rate, an increase in breathing volume, weakening of attention, coughing, wheezing in the lungs
• 28. N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN)- carcinogen
• 29. Carbon monoxide- leads to oxygen starvation, weakens muscle and heart functions, causes fatigue, weakness and dizziness, is of particular danger to the intrauterine development of the child
• 30. Nitric oxide- increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and asthma
• 31. Propionaldehyde- irritates the respiratory system, skin and eyes
• 32. pyridine– irritates the eyes and upper respiratory tract, causes nervousness, headaches and nausea, damages the liver
• 33. pyrene causes headache, weakness, impaired liver function, increases the risk of developing leukocytosis
• 34. Resorcinol- Irritating to eyes and skin
• 35. Hydrocyanic acid– weaken the lungs, cause fatigue, headaches and nausea
• 36. Styrene– eye irritant, slow reflexes, cause headaches, increase risk of leukemia, possibly carcinogenic
• 37. Toluene- has a negative effect on memory, causes confusion, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, damage to the cerebellum and other parts of the brain
• 38. Phenol – highly toxic substance, has harmful effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver
• 39. Formaldehyde- can lead to cancer of the nasal cavity, damage to the digestive organs, skin and lungs, carcinogen
• 40. Quinoline– has a severe irritating effect on the eyes, harmful effects on the liver, causes genetic mutations possibly a carcinogen.
• 41. ethylphenol- causes a sharp decrease in blood pressure, depression, unsteady gait

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

With such a mixture of substances, smokers come to poison themselves and their loved ones. It seems surprising how the human body manages 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. Maybe that's why the vast majority of smokers think that misfortune will bypass them or that they will have enough time in the future to give up this unnatural habit for a person. Who knows. Meanwhile, each next cigarette, regardless of the desire of the smoker, continues to slowly but surely destroy his body, weaken his immunity and reduce his energy level, thereby helping to eliminate the motivation for a long, fulfilling life. Take another look at the above list, and if you smoke, try to be honest with the question: “Do you want to continue to turn your body into a waste dump of this chemical factory called a cigarette?”.