The Journal of

Abstract

Background: To protect against the adverse effects of heavy metals on human health, investigation of heavy metal contents in cigarettes and aromatic tobaccos is essential. The aim of this study was to assess heavy metals in some highly-used samples of cigarettes and aromatic tobaccos in the Iranian market.

Methods: In this study, 9 cigarette and 3 aromatic tobacco samples found in the Iranian market were selected because of their very high use and their level of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Fe) were determined. Heavy metal contents of the samples were detected by using acid digestion method and with a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). To determine confidence and accuracy of the results, all testes were carried out twice by two series of samples.

Results: The Fe (473.45±78.28) and chromium (1.33±0.03) had maximum and minimum average concentrations in all cigarette samples, respectively. Statistical tests did not show any significant difference between average concentrations of heavy metals in Iranian and imported cigarettes and aromatic tobaccos samples (P >0.05).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the heavy metals are present in some highly-used samples of cigarettes and aromatic tobaccos found in the Iranian market. Thus regarding the importance of human health, this problem should be considered seriously.

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