Chemicals in Tobacco Smoke
Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds are toxic. About 70 can cause cancer. Here are some of the chemicals.
Cancer-Causing Chemicals
- Formaldehyde: Used to embalm dead bodies
- Benzene: Found in gasoline
- Polonium 210: Radioactive and very toxic
- Vinyl chloride: Used to make pipes
Toxic Metals
- Chromium: Used to make steel
- Arsenic: Used in pesticides
- Lead: Once used in paint
- Cadmium: Used to make batteries
Poison Gases
- Carbon monoxide: Found in car exhausts
- Hydrogen cyanide: Used in chemical weapons
- Ammonia: Used in household cleaners
- Butane: Used in lighter fluid
- Toluene: Found in paint thinners