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. 2011 Jan 10;14(1):18–28. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntq216

Table 1.

Constituents of Cigarette Smoke Classified by the IARC as Carcinogenic (updated and revised in 2010)a

Range of representative amounts in mainstream cigarette smoke, per cigarette
 IARC Monographs evaluation of carcinogenicity
Carcinogen Weight molb In animals In humans IARC group IARC Monograph volume, year; and (additional references)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
    Benz[j]aceanthrylenec Present — Limited 2B 92, 2010; (Rodgman & Perfetti, 2009)
    Benz[a]anthracene 2.6–26.8 ng 117 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Ding et al., 2005; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Benzo[b]fluoranthene 1.3–17.0 ng 67 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Ding et al., 2005; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Benzo[j]fluoranthene 1.8–24 ng 95 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Ding et al., 2007)
    Benzo[k]fluoranthene 0.5–3.3 ng 13 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Ding et al., 2005; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Benzo[c]phenanthrenec Present — Limited 2B 92, 2010
    Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) 1.0–15.2 ng 60 pmol Sufficient Limited 1 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Counts et al., 2004; Ding et al., 2005; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Chrysene 2.6–24.7 ng 108 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Ding et al., 2005)
    Cyclopenta[c,d]pyrenec Present — Sufficiient 2A 92, 2010; (Rodgman & Perfetti, 2009)
    Dibenz[a,h]anthracene ND–6 ng 22 pmol Sufficient 2A 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Ding et al., 2007; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Dibenzo[a,e]pyrene 1.5–2.6 ng 8.6 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Ding et al., 2007; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Dibenzo[a,i]pyrene 0.7–1.2 ng 4.0 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Ding et al., 2007; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Dibenzo[a,h]pyrenec 5–9.5 ng 31 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Dibenzo[a,l]pyrenec 0.1 ng 0.3 pmol Sufficient 2A 92, 2010; (Seidel et al., 2004)
    Indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene 0.65–11.2 ng 41 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Ding et al., 2007; Roemer et al., 2004)
    5-Methylchrysenec ND–2 ng 8.3 pmol Sufficient 2B 92, 2010; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 2001)
Other hydrocarbons
    1,3-Butadiene 6.4–68.7 μg 1.3 μmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 97, 2008; 71, 1999; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Gregg et al., 2004; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Isoprene 70–586 μg 8.6 μmol Sufficient 2B 60, 1994; 71, 1999; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Benzene 6.1–58.9 μg 0.8 μmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 29, 1982; S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Ethylbenzenec Present — Sufficient Inadequate 2B 77, 2000
    Naphthalene 65–868 ng 0.068 μmol Sufficient Inadequate 2B 82, 2002; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Ding et al., 2006)
    Styrene ND–48 μg 0.46 μmol Limited Limited 2B 82, 2002; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Ding et al., 2005; Gregg et al., 2004; Intorp et al., 2009)
N-Nitrosamines
    N-Nitrosodimethylamine ND–7.9 ng 0.11 nmol Sufficient 2A 17, 1978; S7, 1987; (Roemer et al., 2004)
    N-Nitrosoethylmethylaminec ND–0.2 ng 0.0023 nmol Sufficient 2B 17, 1978; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 2001)
    N-Nitrosodiethylaminec ND–7.6 ng 0.075 nmol Sufficient 2A 17, 1978; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 2000)
    N-Nitrosopyrrolidine ND–19.7 ng 0.197 nmol Sufficient 2B 17, 1978; S7, 1987; (Roemer et al., 2004)
    N-Nitrosopiperidinec ND–231 ng 2 nmol Sufficient 2B 17, 1978; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 2001)
    N-Nitrosodiethanolaminec ND–290 ng 2.2 nmol Sufficient 2B 17, 1978; 77, 2000; (Smith et al., 2001)
    N′-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) 5.0–270 ng 1.5 nmol Sufficient Limited 1 89, 2007; S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Intorp et al., 2009; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Roemer et al., 2004)
    4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) 13–223 ng 1.1 nmol Sufficient Limited 1 89, 2007; S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
Aromatic amines
    2-Toluidine 8.6–144 ng 1.3 nmol Sufficient Limited 2A S7, 1987; 77, 2000; (Roemer et al., 2004)
    2,6-Dimethylanilinec 3.6–18 ng 0.15 nmol Sufficient 2B 57, 1993; (Smith et al., 2001)
    2-Naphthylamine 1.47–17.2 ng 0.12 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 4, 1974; S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    4-Aminobiphenyl 0.3–3.3 ng 0.012 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 1, 1972; S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    o-Anisidinec Present — Inadequate Sufficient 2B 73, 1999
Heterocyclic aromatic aminesc
    A-α-C ND–260 ng 1.4 nmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 40, 1986; (Smith et al., 2001)
    MeA-α-C 2–37 ng 0.19 nmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 40, 1986; (Smith et al., 2001)
    IQ 0.3 ng 0.0015 nmol Sufficient 2A 56, 1993; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 2000)
    Trp-P-1 0.2–0.3 ng 0.0015 nmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 31, 1983; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Trp-P-2 ND–0.2 ng 0.0011 nmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 31, 1983; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Glu-P-1 ND–0.89 ng 0.0045 nmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 40, 1986; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Glu-P-2 0.25–0.88 ng 0.0048 nmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 40, 1986; (Smith et al., 2001)
    PhIP 11–23 ng 0.10 nmol Sufficient 2B 56, 1993; (Smith et al., 2001)
Other heterocyclic compoundsc
    Furan 18–65 μg 0.96 μmol Sufficient 2B 63, 1995; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Dibenz[a,h]acridine ND–0.1 ng 0.36 pmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 32, 1983; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Dibenz[a,j]acridine ND–10 ng 3.6 pmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 32, 1983; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Dibenzo[c,g]carbazole ND–0.7 ng 2.6 pmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 32, 1983; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Benzo[b]furan Present — Sufficient 2B 63, 1995; (Smith et al., 2001)
Aldehydes
    Formaldehyde 1.6–75.5 μg 2.5 μmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 88, 2006; 62, 1995; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Acetaldehyde 32–828 μg 19 μmol Sufficient 2B 71, 1999;S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
Phenolic compounds
    Catechol 5.1–89.9 μg 0.82 μmol Sufficient 2B 71, 1999; S7, 1987; (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Caffeic acidc Present — Sufficient 2B 56, 1993; (Smith et al., 2001)
Nitrohydrocarbons
    Nitromethanec 0.5–0.6 μg 9.8 nmol Sufficient 2B 77, 2000
    2-Nitropropane ND–18.7 ng 0.21 nmol Sufficient 2B 71, 1999; S7, 1987; (Roemer et al., 2004)
    Nitrobenzenec 25 ng 0.20 nmol Sufficient 2B 65, 1996; (Smith et al., 2001)
Miscellaneous organic compounds
    Acetamidec 2.2–111 μg 1.9 μmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 71, 1999; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Acrylamidec 2.3 μg 0.032 μmol Sufficient 2A S7, 1987; 60, 1994; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Acrylonitrile 0.9–19.6 μg 0.36 μmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 71, 1999; (Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Intorp et al., 2009; Roemer et al., 2004)
    Vinyl chloride ND–36.6 ng 0.45 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 97, 2008 ; S7, 1987; (Roemer et al., 2004)
    Ethylene oxidec Present — Sufficient Limited 1 97, 2008; 60, 1994
    Propylene oxidec Present — Sufficient 2B 60, 1994; S7, 1987
    Urethanec 10–35 ng 0.35 nmol Sufficient 2B S7, 1987; 7, 1974; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Vinyl acetatec 1.6–4 μg 0.047 μmol Limited Inadequate 2B 63, 1995
Metals and inorganic compounds
    Arsenic ND–5.5 ng 0.07 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 84, 2004; (Counts et al., 2004)
    Beryllium ND–0.5 ng 0.06 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 58, 1993; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 1997)
    Nickel ND–500 ng 8.5 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 49, 1990; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 1997)
    Chromium (hexavalent) ND–2.6 ng 0.04 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 49, 1990; S7, 1987; (Counts et al., 2004; Smith et al., 1997)
    Cadmium 1.6–101 ng 0.9 nmol Sufficient Sufficient 1 58, 1993; S7, 1987; (Counts et al., 2004; Hammond & O’Connor, 2008)
    Cobaltc 0.13–100 ng 1.7 nmol Sufficient 2B 52, 1991; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Lead (inorganic) 3.9–39.2 ng 0.19 nmol Sufficient Limited 2A 87, 2004; S7, 1987; (Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004)
    Hydrazinec 24–57 ng 1.8 nmol Sufficient 2B 71, 1999; S7, 1987; (Smith et al., 2001)
    Radioisotope Polonium-210c 0.03–1.0 pCi — Sufficient 1 78, 2001

Note. A-α-C = 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole; GIu-P-1 = 2-amino-6-methyl[1,2-a:3′,2′-d]imidazole; GIu-P-2 = 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3′,2′-d]imidazole; IARC = International Agency for Research on Cancer; IQ = 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline; MeA-α-C = 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole; ND = not detected; S7 = Supplement 7 of the IARC Monographs; Trp-P-1 = 3-amino-l,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole; pCi = picoCurie; PhIP = 2-amino-l-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine; Trp-P-2 = 3-amino-l-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole.

a

This table [modified from Hoffmann et al. (2001) and IARC volume 83 (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2004) and updated in July, 2010] shows compounds or elements in mainstream cigarette smoke, with representative amounts (determined using the ISO/Federal Trade Commission smoking conditions) given per cigarette. Presence and amounts in cigarette smoke were assessed based on recent literature as cited and data given in references (Chen & Moldoveanu, 2003; Counts et al., 2004; Gregg et al., 2004; Intorp et al., 2009; Smith et al., 2000, 2001; Rodgman & Perfetti, 2009). Only constituents evaluated by IARC and included in Groups 1 (16 constituents), 2A (9 constituents), or 2B (47 constituents) are listed. Virtually, all these substances are known carcinogens in experimental animals. In combination with data on cancer in humans and—in some cases—other relevant data, IARC Monographs classifications for these agents have been established as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans), or Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans). When IARC evaluations were made more than twice, only the two most recent Monographs are listed, with volume number and year of publication. No entry in the column “humans” indicates inadequate evidence or no data.

b

Based on upper limit value only; μmol = 10−6 mol, nmol = 10−9 mol, pmol = 10−12 mol. 1 μmol = 6.02 × 1017 molecules.

c

Not commonly reported: Values may be estimates or unreliable for the smoke of current cigarettes.