Arsenic
Classic poison — today in every puff.
At a glance
- Also known as
- Arsenik (anorganische Verbindungen)
- CAS number
- 7440-38-2
- Toxicity
Very high
- Carcinogenic
- Yes — IARC Group 1
- In cigarette smoke
- 40-120 ng per cigarette (DKFZ)
What is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a metalloid found naturally in rocks, soil and groundwater. In its inorganic form it's highly toxic and has been classified by IARC as „carcinogenic to humans“ (Group 1) since 1980. Arsenic reaches tobacco leaves via contaminated soil and phosphate-rich fertilisers — burning releases it as aerosol and carries it deep into the lung.
Why is Arsenic in cigarettes?
Tobacco is a plant with high heavy-metal uptake. Where tobacco grows on soils with elevated arsenic content (natural or from fertilisers), the metalloid accumulates in the leaves. When burned, arsenic isn't destroyed — it partly volatilises and enters the smoke. 40 to 120 nanograms per cigarette (source: DKFZ).
What Arsenic does to your body — short term
At cigarette-smoke quantities arsenic doesn't cause acute symptoms — the effect is chronic. Unlike acute poisoning at high doses (nausea, vomiting, skin reactions), arsenic accumulates in the body over years. Highest concentrations are found in hair, nails and bones.
What Arsenic does long term
Inorganic arsenic is one of the best-documented carcinogens. Chronic exposure measurably raises the risk of lung, skin and bladder cancer. There's also an established link to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The effect is dose-dependent but with no safe lower threshold — there's no „safe“ arsenic exposure.
Where else do you know Arsenic from?
For centuries arsenic was the best-known murder poison — odourless, tasteless, undetectable in small doses. Until the mid-20th century it was the main component of rat poison. Today it's used in semiconductor manufacturing (gallium arsenide) and was a component of wood preservatives now banned in the EU.
How it compares
Germany's workplace exposure limit for inorganic arsenic compounds is 0.01 mg/m³ (TRGS 910). The per-cigarette amounts seem small, but they accumulate over a lifetime — and the WHO explicitly names „no safe exposure threshold“.
Workplace exposure limit: 0.01 mg/m³ inorganic As (TRGS 910)
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