Do radioactive isotopes in tobacco fertilizer give smokers cancer?
Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which are believed to be carcinogenic. Most of the suspected carcinogens are produced during combustion, which include polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (tars) and acrolein. Nitrosamines are also carcinogenic, and are produced during the curing of tobacco leaves. However, the fertilizer used for tobacco plants contains lead and polonium which may also be dangerous to consume.
