Comparative Study of Heavy Metals and Nicotine

Content in Zambian Cigarettes

M O Munyati1 and P Mulenga2

1
Department of Chemistry, University of Zambia, Lusaka
2
National Institute for Industrial & Scientific Research
 What is Cigarette?

(1) A tube of paper in which is

wrapped tobacco
(2) Nicotine delivery
systems
+
multitude of other
compounds

(3) The seven

dwarf?!
Adverse Health Effects Arising From Smoking

• for every cigarette you smoke, you smoke

away one hour of the total hours of your life!
• Smoking already kills one in 10 adults
worldwide
• tobacco is a gradual but systematic silent
killer. The effects of smoking do not
manifest soon enough as it may be the case with
other diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
 Hidden Dangers
• Harmless appearance
• Lethal on when lit
– on lit temperatures of between 700 and 950 C
are generated during a puff.
– smoke contains hundreds of compounds some
as a result of reactions occurring in the
combustion zone
– down the combustion zone a pyrolysis/distillation
zone (200-600 C )
– compounds in distillate include carbon and
other biologically active substances
Biologically
active substances
in cigarette
smoke
_____________
Adapted from
Chemistry in
Britain, Vol 37,
No. 1, Jan 2001,
38-41
Biologically
active substances
in cigarette
smoke
_____________
Adapted from
Chemistry in
Britain, Vol 37,
No. 1, Jan 2001,
38-41
 Challenges and Choices
• tobacco is different from any other health
challenges. Cigarettes are demanded by
consumers and form part of the social custom of
many societies.
• economics: tobacco growing and
manufacture of cigarettes are significant for
countries such as Zambia
• cigarettes are demanded by
consumers and form part of the social custom of
many societies
 Continuing Concerns
• Significant numbers of people
continue to smoke despite known
effects
• Qualitative survey suggests increased
smoking among teenagers – more so
girls
• More people likely to be affected by
passive smoking
Prevalence of Smoking Global Youth Survey in Zambia (Kafue)

• 20.4% of students had ever smoked cigarettes

(Boys = 23.4%, Girls = 15.3%)
• 22.9% currently use any tobacco product
(Boys = 22.7%, Girls = 21.6%)
• 11.3% currently smoke cigarettes
(Boys = 12.2%, Girls = 8.2%)
• 16.5% currently use other tobacco products
(Boys = 16.4%, Girls = 16.3%)
• 34.0% of never smokers are likely to initiate
smoking next year

_________________________
http: www. research\Cigarettes\GYTS Factsheet - Zambia-Kafue
Heavy Metal and Nicotine Content
 Heavy Metals
• to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high
density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations
• include lead, mercury, chromium, copper and cadmium
trace elements, some heavy metals (e.g. copper,
selenium, zinc) are essential to maintain the metabolism
of the human body
• BUT at higher concentrations they can lead to poisoning
• tendency to bio accumulate which means their
concentration increases over a period of time
• main threats to human health from heavy metals are
associated with exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury and
arsenic.
 Nicotine
• Liquid, volatile alkaloid. Tobacco may
contain 1 to 8 %
• Highly addictive and is readily absorbed in the
lungs
• Addiction increases smoking rates and
therefore greater exposure to heavy metals

N
nicotine
 Objectives
• study was aimed at establishing the levels of heavy
metals and nicotine in locally manufactured cigarettes.
• The results of study would assist in establishing the
risk levels of a Zambian smoker in relation to heavy
metals and nicotine arising from exposure through
smoking.
 Experimental
• Levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pub), zinc (Zn), copper (cu)
and nicotine were determined in five (5) brands of cigarettes
found on the Zambian market.
• Raw tobacco locally known as balani was also analysed.
• Samples were purchased randomly from different locations
whilst two unprocessed brands were obtained from the local
market.
• Heavy metals were determined using atomic absorption
spectroscopy while the nicotine content was determined by
non-aqueous titration.
Results and Discussion
Relative levels of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in Zambian Cigarettes and raw Tobacco
Cigarette Brand Zn Cu Pb Cd

Peter Stuyvesant 323.8 9.763.8 5.0520.51 0.510.01

Rothmans 36.152.6 9.990.9 5.4920.7 0.750.00

Consulate 28.632.2 8.000.9 5.570.3 0.750.00

Embassy King 40.183.8 8.650.4 4.271.1 0.550.09

QZ Balani 41.447.7 9.410.4 3.910.14 0.690.1

Zim Balani 45.506.5 8.741.3 5.580.8 0.660.03

Relative levels of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in Zambian Cigarettes
and raw Tobacco

50
Concentration (ppm)

40
Zn
30 Cu

20 Pb
Cd
10

Zim Balani
QZ Balani
Consulate
Stuyvesant

Rothmans

Embassy
King
Peter

Brand of Cigarette
Relative Nicotine Levels Cigarettes on the Zambian Market

Cigarette Brand % Total Alkaloid as Nicotine

Peter Stuyvesant 2.000.06

Rothmans 1.760.01

Consulate 1.810.02

Embassy King 1.960.08

QZ Balani 2.060.06

Zim Balani 2.010.04

Plot of Relative Nicotine Levels Cigarettes on the Zambian Market

2.5

2.0

1.5
% Total Alkaloid as
Nicotine
1.0

0.5

0.0
Stuyvesant

QZ Balani

Zim Balani
Consulate
Rothmans

Embassy
King
Peter
Results Summary
• cadmium levels were found to be in the
range 0.42– 0.75 m/g,
• lead at 3.91-5.58 m/g,
• copper and zinc were in the range 8.00-9.99
and 28.63-40.18 m/g respectively.
• nicotine content determined as percent total
alkaloid ranged from 1.76-2.06 %.
• No significant differences were found in the
different brands analysed.
• levels of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu were consistent
with results reported elsewhere
 Conclusion
• Although the content of these heavy metals
appears to be low, the accumulative effect is still a
matter of concern especially that cigarettes may not
be the only source of exposure The metals can therefore
potentially build up to a toxic level. (migration from
plastic packaging materials, Munyati and Musukwa,
2004).
• Hitherto, there has been no comprehensive study of
heavy metal content of Zambian cigarettes and
therefore the results from study will provide baseline data
for future studies.
• It will also provide useful data on the risk levels of
Zambian smokers (and passive smokers) arising from
heavy metal and nicotine exposure, and potential
consequences in the managing of HIV/AIDS related
ailments.