Comparison of Heavy Metals Contents for Some Cigarettes Brands

Abstract

According certain studies, smoking could be associated with an increase of health risk link to heavy metals and these risks would be more important in developed countries. So, this study attempted to verify these informations throuth the comparison of the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) in some cigarettes sold in Benin and France. Composite samples of cigarette brands purchased in Benin (developing country) and France have been taken in the same periods from the two countries. Samples were analyzed for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The amounts (average ± SD) have been compared by the statistical Student p test (T>t) = 0.05. The results showed that all the cigarettes tobacco is differently contaminated with Cd, Pb, Ni and As. The amounts reveal that for all metals the regulatory limits are over passed but the level of contamination varies from one brand to another one. However, it could not be obvious to conclude that the cigarettes in developed countries are more concentrated in heavy metals than those of developing countries. This affirmation has been discussed. Indeed, it appeared that the level of lead and arsenic obtained in some cigarette brands purchased in Benin were significantly higher than (p<0.05) those sold in France. Otherwise, all the France cigarette brands contain about two or three times more cadmium that Beninese cigarettes. However, excepted these particularities, there was no significant differences (p<0.05) between heavy metals contents in cigarette brands sold in Benin and France. Overall, findings from this study suggest that, Beninese cigarettes did not differ in heavy metals contents from cigarettes sold in France markets. The high levels of toxic metals recorded in some cigarette tobacco from each country are probably the result of soil conditions where tobacco is grown. But, the presence of high levels of heavy metals may constitute a global health concern. The adoption of reasonable behavior are needed to preserve the public health.

Use of Low Cost Soil Amendments Reduces Uptake of Cadmium and Lead by Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Grown in Medially Polluted Soils

“…However, the amount of amendments added and the levels of metals in the soil determine the extent of uptake by tobacco. The 2% cow manure was most effective in reducing uptake of the metals in field and pot experiments, thereby guaranteeing safe tobacco products [41]. HA was most effective in reducing uptake of lead metal, though higher amounts would have produced similar effects as 2% cow manure.…”

Determination of Metal Ions in Contraband Cigarettes in Brazil

“…8,12 A presença de metais em cigarros tem sido amplamente descrita na literatura científica. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Entretanto nenhum estudo é relatado sobre a análise dessas substâncias em cigarros que entram de forma ilícita no Brasil, via contrabando, e são amplamente consumidos pela população.…”

“…Utilizou-se chama oxidante de ar/acetileno, com fluxo de 13,50 L.min -1 e 2,00 L. 8,[14][15][16][17][18][19] O Cr detectado na marca A11 apresentou a concentração de 48,1 µg.g -1 , esta marca de cigarro corresponde a 12,99% do volume de apreensões em 2012. O maior valor encontrado para o Cr na literatura foi de 3,5 µg.g -1 em cigarros falsificados no Reino Unido.…”

“…Assim, os cigarros contrabandeados chegam a conter o dobro de Cd quando comparado ao estudo francês. 14 Na queima do cigarro cerca de 33% do Cd é incorporado a fumaça e 25 á 50% é absorvida pelo organismo. O valor de Cd encontrado na marca A6 (9,93 µg.g -1 ), demonstra que o consumo diário de 20 cigarros contrabandeados pode ocasionar uma absorção diária de Cd entre 13,40 a 26,81 µg.…”

Particulate and trace metal emission from mosquito coil and cigarette burning in environmental chamber

“…An extensive literature exists concerning the particle size allocation of trace elements in PM and also their related effect on their health globally. Agbandji et al [26] compared the levels of Pb, Cd, Ni, and As in some cigarettes sold in Benin and France. A study of Jung et al [27] focused on the elemental (Pb, As, Zn, Cd, and Cu) concentrations in different cigarette brands commonly sold in Korea and UK.…”