acrolein

Produced when glycerol burns.

Why is it in cigarettes?

• Produced in the pyrolysis zone when glycerol burns.

What does it mean?

• Extremely irritating to respiratory system.
• Interferes with the lung's ability to clear itself of pollutants.
• Acts like a carcinogen.

More...

Although the government has set a maximum acceptable daily intake of acrolein, cigarette smoke and environmental cigarette smoke provide exposure to acrolein that is estimated to be as much as 130 times the maximum.[1]

Links

A good website for more information about what is in tobacco smoke: http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact12.html

References

[1] article, available online: "What's in a Cigarette?" by K. H. Ginzel, M.D.. American Council on Science and Health, Priorities for Health, Vol 2 Number 4, 1990 - see: http://www.acsh.org/publications/priorities/0102/nicotine.html

[also] television show, transcript available online: Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes CBS, February 4, 1996 - see transcript at: http://www.jeffreywigand.com/insider/60minutes.html

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