
When a person smokes, the tobacco and other substances are subject to a range of chemical reactions to form smoke, which contains more than 400 items, and these articles: [7]
- Ammonia.
- Hydrogen cyanide.
- Vinyl chloride.
- Arsenic.
What chemicals are in a cigarette smoke?
Some of the chemicals found in tobacco smoke include:
- Nicotine (the addictive drug that produces the effects in the brain that people are looking for)
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Formaldehyde
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Ammonia
- Radioactive elements, such as polonium-210 (see below)
- Benzene
- Carbon monoxide
- Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs)
What chemicals are in factory smoke?
- ammonia
- carbon monoxide
- nicotine
- nitric oxide
- hydrogen cyanide
- mercury
- tar*
- toxic trace metals (nickel*, lead, cadmium*, chromium*, arsenic* and selenium)
- tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs): N-nitrosonornicotine*, nicotine-derived nitrosamino ketone (NNK)*, N-nitrosoanatabine* and N-nitrosoanabasine*.
What are some of the chemicals in tobacco smoke?
What are the 3 most dangerous chemicals in cigarettes?
- Nicotine (the addictive drug that produces the effect people are looking for and one of the harshest chemicals in tobacco smoke)
- Hydrogen cyanide.
- Formaldehyde.
- Lead.
- Arsenic.
- Ammonia.
- Radioactive elements, such as uranium (see below)
- Benzene.
What are some examples of chemical composition?
More Examples of Chemicals
- gases
- liquids
- solids
- plasma (including most of a flame)
- cardboard box
- Canada
- spider web
- a diamond
- a shoe
- gold

What is the composition of smoke?
The composition of smoke depends on the nature of the burning fuel and the conditions of combustion. Fires with high availability of oxygen burn at a high temperature and with a small amount of smoke produced; the particles are mostly composed of ash, or with large temperature differences, of condensed aerosol of water. High temperature also leads to production of nitrogen oxides. Sulfur content yields sulfur dioxide, or in case of incomplete combustion, hydrogen sulfide. Carbon and hydrogen are almost completely oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. Fires burning with lack of oxygen produce a significantly wider palette of compounds, many of them toxic. Partial oxidation of carbon produces carbon monoxide, while nitrogen-containing materials can yield hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, and nitrogen oxides. Hydrogen gas can be produced instead of water. Contents of halogens such as chlorine (e.g. in polyvinyl chloride or brominated flame retardants) may lead to the production of hydrogen chloride, phosgene, dioxin, and chloromethane, bromomethane and other halocarbons. Hydrogen fluoride can be formed from fluorocarbons, whether fluoropolymers subjected to fire or halocarbon fire suppression agents. Phosphorus and antimony oxides and their reaction products can be formed from some fire retardant additives, increasing smoke toxicity and corrosivity. Pyrolysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), e.g. from burning older transformer oil, and to lower degree also of other chlorine-containing materials, can produce 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, a potent carcinogen, and other polychlorinated dibenzodioxins. Pyrolysis of fluoropolymers, e.g. teflon, in presence of oxygen yields carbonyl fluoride (which hydrolyzes readily to HF and CO 2 ); other compounds may be formed as well, e.g. carbon tetrafluoride, hexafluoropropylene, and highly toxic perfluoroisobutene (PFIB).
What is smoke from a bee smoker?
Smoke from a bee smoker, used in beekeeping. Chemical composition distribution of volatile organic compounds released in smoke from a variety of solid fuels. Volatility distribution of volatile organic compound emissions in wood smoke. An internationally recognizable " No Smoking sign ".
What is the result of pyrolysis?
Pyrolysis of burning material, especially incomplete combustion or smoldering without adequate oxygen supply, also results in production of a large amount of hydrocarbons, both aliphatic ( methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene) and aromatic ( benzene and its derivates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; e.g. benzo [a]pyrene, studied as a carcinogen, or retene ), terpenes. It also results in the emission of a range of smaller oxygenated volatile organic compounds ( methanol, acetic acid, hydroxy acetone, methyl acetate and ethyl formate) which are formed as combustion by products as well as less volatile oxygenated organic species such as phenolics, furans and furanones. Heterocyclic compounds may be also present. Heavier hydrocarbons may condense as tar; smoke with significant tar content is yellow to brown. Combustion of solid fuels can result in the emission of many hundreds to thousands of lower volatility organic compounds in the aerosol phase. Presence of such smoke, soot, and/or brown oily deposits during a fire indicates a possible hazardous situation, as the atmosphere may be saturated with combustible pyrolysis products with concentration above the upper flammability limit, and sudden inrush of air can cause flashover or backdraft.
What was the cause of the oil fires and smoke?
Oil fires and smoke, after Iraqi forces set fire to oil wells during the First Gulf War. Smoke is a collection of airborne particulates and gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion or pyrolysis, together with the quantity of air that is entrained or otherwise mixed into the mass.
How to capture smoke?
In-line capture. A smoke sample is simply sucked through a filter which is weighed before and after the test and the mass of smoke found. This is the simplest and probably the most accurate method, but can only be used where the smoke concentration is slight, as the filter can quickly become blocked.
How is corrosive smoke measured?
It is measured by exposing strips of metal to flow of combustion products in a test tunnel. Polymers containing halogen and hydrogen ( polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins with halogenated additives, etc.) have the highest CI as the corrosive acids are formed directly with water produced by the combustion, polymers containing halogen only (e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene) have lower CI as the formation of acid is limited to reactions with airborne humidity, and halogen-free materials (polyolefins, wood) have the lowest CI. However, some halogen-free materials can also release significant amount of corrosive products.
How many modes of smoke are there?
Smoke particulates, like other aerosols, are categorized into three modes based on particle size:
What is the chemical composition of cigarette smoke?
abstractNote = {Cigarette smoke is a concentrated aerosol of liquid particles suspended in an atmosphere consisting mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. While the precise chemical composition of the particulate and gaseous phases is dependent on the characteristics of the cigarette and the manner in which it is smoked, both phases contain tens of hundreds of individual constitutents. Notable among potentially hazardous constituents of smoke are tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, benzo (a)pyrene, and N-nitrosamines.},
How many compounds are in cigarettes?
Cigarette smoke contains at least 1200 different compounds, many of which, although present in trace amounts, have been shown to exhibit pathophysiological effects on various tissues and organ systems.
What is cigarette smoke?
Cigarette smoke is a concentrated aerosol of liquid particles suspended in an atmosphere consisting mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. While the precise chemical composition of the particulate and gaseous phases is dependent on the characteristics of the cigarette and the manner in which it is smoked, ...
What is smoke composition?
A smoke composition is a pyrotechnic composition designed primarily to generate smoke. Smoke compositions are used as obscurants or for generation of signaling smokes. Some are used as a payload of smoke bombs and smoke grenades .
What is the composition of smoke used in pyrotechnics?
The most common smoke composition for pyrotechnic generation of smoke screens is the zinc chloride smoke mixture ( HC ).
What is zinc chloride smoke?
Zinc chloride smoke. Zinc chloride smoke is grey-white and consists of tiny particles of zinc chloride. The most common mixture for generating these is the zinc chloride smoke mixture ( HC ), consisting of hexachloroethane, grained aluminium and zinc oxide. The smoke consists of zinc chloride, zinc oxychlorides, and hydrochloric acid, ...
What is colored smoke?
These are usually based on a low-temperature burning pyrotechnic composition, mixed with a dye that gets vaporized and creates large, colored smoke particles. The composition is often based on an oxidizer (e.g. potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate, or potassium perchlorate ), a fuel (e.g. lactose ), an optional coolant (e.g. sodium bicarbonate ), and one or more dyes.
What is smoke used for?
Smoke with a suitable composition can be used as a fire suppression agent. A pyrotechnic composition similar to black powder, composed of 15% charcoal and 85% potassium nitrate, generates thick smoke composed of particles of mainly potassium carbonate, which has fire extinguishing properties. Two-kilograms smoke grenades, thrown into burning rooms through plate-glass windows, have been used by some European firefighters.
What is the composition of a sandpaper?
The composition is often based on an oxidizer (e.g. potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate, or potassium perchlorate ), a fuel (e.g. lactose ), an optional coolant (e.g. sodium bicarbonate ), and one or more dyes.
Is smoking a cigarette dangerous?
Damage of the lower airways can manifest itself later as well, due to fine particles of zinc chloride and traces of phosgene. In high concentrations the smoke can be very dangerous when inhaled. Symptoms include dyspnea, retrosternal pain, hoarseness, stridor, lachrymation, cough, expectoration, and in some cases haemoptysis.
Why does smoking make my lungs black?
As the cilia are blocked (see paragraph above), the tars in the cigarette smoke are deposited and collect on the walls of the respiratory tract and the lungs, and cause them to turn black. So, just because a smoker is not coughing, it doesn't mean that he or she is healthy! And this fact merely serves to pour water on one of the most common and poorest excuses given by smokers. The carcinogenic action of the tars is well known: they are responsible for 95% of lung cancers. It takes two days at least after cessation of smoking for the cilia to start functioning properly again, albeit only gradually. By smoking one packet of cigarettes every day, a smoker is pouring a cupful of these tars into his or her lungs every year (225 grams on average)!
What is the gas produced by cars?
Carbon monoxide (CO) This is the asphyxiating gas produced by cars, which makes up 1.5% of exhaust fumes. But smokers inhaling cigarette smoke breathe in 3.2% carbon monoxide - and directly from the source. Oxygen is mostly transported in blood by haemoglobin.
How long does it take for nicotine to reach the brain?
When diluted in smoke, nicotine reaches the brain in just seven seconds, it stimulates the brain cells and then blocks the nervous impulse. This is where addiction to tobacco arises.
How does oxygen get into the body?
Oxygen is mostly transported in blood by haemoglobin. When we smoke, however, the carbon monoxide attaches itself to the haemoglobin 203 times more quickly than oxygen does, thereby displacing the oxygen; this in turn asphyxiates the organism. This causes the following cardiovascular complaints: narrowing of the arteries, blood clots, arteritis, gangrene, heart attack, etc. but also a loss of reflexes and visual and mental problems. It takes between six and 24 hours for the carbon monoxide to leave the blood system.
What is the cause of chronic bronchitis?
These substances paralyse and then destroy the cilia of the bronchial tubes, responsible for filtering and cleaning the lungs. They slow down respiratory output and irritate the mucous membranes, causing coughs, infections and chronic bronchitis.
Does nicotine cause weight loss?
The result is twice as many coronary attacks. Nicotine thu s also increases the consumption of lipids (which is why it has a weight-loss effect) and induces temporary hyperglycemia (hence the appetite suppressing effect).
Can you stop smoking a cigarette if you are not aware of the components?
If you are not aware of the components in a cigarette then see the picture below and any sensible person who is conscious about his/her health as well as the health of others will stop smoking cigarette from now onwards.
What is in fire smoke?
What’s in wildfire smoke? What exactly is in a wildfire’s smoke depends on a few key things: what’s burning – grass, brush or trees; the temperature – is it flaming or just smoldering; and the distance between the person breathing the smoke and the fire producing it.
How does smoke age?
The distance affects the ability of smoke to “age,” meaning to be acted upon by the Sun and other chemicals in the air as it travels. Aging can make it more toxic. Importantly, large particles like what most people think of as ash do not typically travel that far from the fire, but small particles, or aerosols, can travel across continents.
What is the danger of wildfire smoke?
An environmental toxicologist explores the components of wildfire smoke that are potentially dangerous, such as high levels of lead and other metals. Warnings about wildfire season are coming earlier to prepare residents for the potential dangers and plan for recovery.
What are the most common pollutants in wildfires?
Smoke from wildfires contains thousands of individual compounds, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. The most prevalent pollutant by mass is particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, roughly 50 times smaller than a grain of sand.
Is smoke hazy in the air?
Smoke is now turning the sky hazy across a large swath of the country as dozens of large fires burn, and a lot of people are wondering what’s in the air they’re breathing. As an environmental toxicologist, I study the effects of wildfire smoke and how they differ from other sources of air pollution.
Is smoke from fires dangerous?
The findings suggest smoke from fires that reach communities could be even more dangerous than originally thought because of the building materials that burn . Here’s a closer look at what makes up wildfire smoke and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
Is it bad to breathe in wildfire smoke?
We know that breathing wildfire smoke can be harmful. Less clear is what the worsening wildfire landscape will mean for public health in the future, but research is raising red flags. In parts of the West, wildfire smoke now makes up nearly half the air pollution measured annually.
What is in fire smoke?
What's in wildfire smoke? What exactly is in a wildfire's smoke depends on a few key things: what's burning—grass, brush or trees; the temperature—is it flaming or just smoldering; and the distance between the person breathing the smoke and the fire producing it.
How does smoke age?
The distance affects the ability of smoke to "age," meaning to be acted upon by the Sun and other chemicals in the air as it travels. Aging can make it more toxic. Importantly, large particles like what most people think of as ash do not typically travel that far from the fire, but small particles, or aerosols, can travel across continents.
What are the most common pollutants in wildfires?
Smoke from wildfires contains thousands of individual compounds, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. The most prevalent pollutant by mass is particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, roughly 50 times smaller than a grain of sand.
Is smoke graying the sky?
Smoke is now graying the sky across large parts of the country as dozens of large fires burn, and a lot of people are wondering what's in the air they're breathing. As an environmental toxicologist, I am interested in understanding wildfire smoke effects and how they differ from other sources of air pollution.
Does wood smoke cause lung inflammation?
However, studies have shown that repeated exposure to elevated levels of wood smoke can suppress macrophages, leading to increases in lung inflammation. The record wildfire season out west (yes, made worse by climate change) is having an impact here.
Is it bad to breathe in wildfire smoke?
We know that breathing wildfire smoke can be harmful. It's not totally clear what the worsening wildfire landscape will mean for public health, but research is raising red flags. In parts of the West, wildfire smoke now makes up nearly half the air pollution measured annually.
Can wildfire smoke cause lung damage?
Short-term exposure can irritate the eyes and throat. Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke over days or weeks, or breathing in heavy smoke, can raise the risk of lung damage and may also contribute to cardiovascular problems. Considering that it is the macrophage's job to remove foreign material—including smoke particles ...

Overview
Chemical composition
The composition of smoke depends on the nature of the burning fuel and the conditions of combustion. Fires with high availability of oxygen burn at a high temperature and with a small amount of smoke produced; the particles are mostly composed of ash, or with large temperature differences, of condensed aerosol of water. High temperature also leads to production of nitrogen oxides. …
Dangers
Smoke from oxygen-deprived fires contains a significant concentration of compounds that are flammable. A cloud of smoke, in contact with atmospheric oxygen, therefore has the potential of being ignited – either by another open flame in the area, or by its own temperature. This leads to effects like backdraft and flashover. Smoke inhalation is also a danger of smoke that can cause serio…
Measurement
As early as the 15th century Leonardo da Vinci commented at length on the difficulty of assessing smoke, and distinguished between black smoke (carbonized particles) and white 'smoke' which is not a smoke at all but merely a suspension of harmless water particulates.
Smoke from heating appliances is commonly measured in one of the following ways:
In-line capture. A smoke sample is simply sucked through a filter which is weighed before and af…
Medicinal smoking
Throughout recorded history, humans have used the smoke of medicinal plants to cure illness. A sculpture from Persepolis shows Darius the Great (522–486 BC), the king of Persia, with two censers in front of him for burning Peganum harmala and/or sandalwood Santalum album, which was believed to protect the king from evil and disease. More than 300 plant species in 5 continents are used in smoke form for different diseases. As a method of drug administration, smoking is import…
Sources
• "Smoke" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). 1911.
External links
• Burning Issues wood smoke Site
• Shedding new light on wood smoke
https://www.infographicview.com/things-you-need-to-know-about-smoke.html/ 7 things you need to know about smoke detectors]
Overview
A smoke composition is a pyrotechnic composition designed primarily to generate smoke. Smoke compositions are used as obscurants or for generation of signaling smokes. Some are used as a payload of smoke bombs and smoke grenades.
Obscurants
Smoke compositions used as obscurants generate large amount of thick, usually white, smoke. The most common smoke composition for pyrotechnic generation of smoke screens is the zinc chloride smoke mixture (HC).
Zinc chloride smoke is grey-white and consists of tiny particles of zinc chloride. The most common mixture for generating these is the zinc chloride smoke mixture (HC), consisting of hexachloroeth…
Signalling
A colored smoke composition can be used for signalling. These are usually based on a low-temperature burning pyrotechnic composition, mixed with a dye that gets vaporized and creates large, colored smoke particles. The composition is often based on an oxidizer (e.g. potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate, or potassium perchlorate), a fuel (e.g. lactose), an optional coolant (e.g. sodium bicarbonate), and one or more dyes.
Fire extinguishing
Smoke with a suitable composition can be used as a fire suppression agent. A pyrotechnic composition similar to black powder, composed of 15% charcoal and 85% potassium nitrate, generates thick smoke composed of particles of mainly potassium carbonate, which has fire extinguishing properties. Two-kilograms smoke grenades, thrown into burning rooms through plate-glass windows, have been used by some European firefighters.
Dispersion of chemicals
Smoke compositions can be used also for creating aerosol of other materials than dyes. Generally the same type of pyrotechnic composition as for colored smokes is used, with the dye being replaced by the desired chemical. The devices usually have the form of smoke bombs.
The best known such application of smoke compositions is in riot control, for dispersion of lachrymatory agents. The agent used is most often CS gas, with less used alternatives CR gas, C…