Abstract
Tobacco addiction has been mentioned as a leading cause of preventable illnesses and premature disability. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and one of the factors that most contribute to the occurrence of heart diseases, among others. The herbaceous species Nicotiana tabacum is a plant of the solanaceae family used for tobacco production. Some authors have conducted research about heavy metals and the toxicity of tobacco. It is, frequently, found in low concentrations in the ground, and superficial and underground waters, even though they do not have environmental anthropogenic contributions. However, with the increase of industrial activities and mining together with the agrochemical use of contaminated organic and inorganic fertilizers, an alteration of the geochemical cycle occurs. As a consequence, the natural flow of these materials increases and is released into the biosphere, where they are often accumulated in the superior layer of the ground, accessible to the roots of the plants. During planting and plant development, fertilizers and insecticides, including organochlorines and organophosphates, are used; consequently, the smoke from cigarette smoking presents various toxic substances, such as bromine (Br), manganese (Mn) and antimony (Sb), elements studied in this work. The procedures for the preparation of the samples were carried out in our laboratories and submitted to irradiation with thermal neutrons at Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN-SP), in the Atomic Energy Institute IEA-R1 research reactor. The irradiated material was, then, analyzed by gamma spectrometry, using a high purity germanium detector (HPGe).
Highlights
The habit of smoking is very old in human civilization
During planting and plant development, fertilizers and insecticides, including organochlorines and organophosphates, are used; the smoke from cigarette smoking presents various toxic substances, such as bromine (Br), manganese (Mn) and antimony (Sb), elements studied in this work
In the development of this work, the following items were used: Gamma Spectrometry System composed by an high purity germanium detector (HPGe) of 30% of relative efficiency for the measurement of the material powders irradiated in the Atomic Energy Institute (IEA-R1) reactor, under a thermal neutron flux [26]
Summary
The habit of smoking is very old in human civilization. Historical records related to tobacco culture date back to approximately four thousand years ago, the period in which tobacco began to be cultivated and used. Tobacco was already cultivated by the Mayans in the North and Central American region. In America, some indigenous peoples already used tobacco in religious ceremonies, believing that inhaling the smoke produced by it brought them closer to the gods [1]. Between 1650 and 1750, with the great expansion of the overseas trade, tobacco was distributed all over the world. In North American lands, more precisely the English colony of Virginia, which had perfect soil and climates, the cultivation of tobacco on a commercial scale began
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