Assessment of heavy metals in tobacco of cigarettes commonly sold in Ethiopia

ISSN: 2410-9649 Engida & Chandravanshi / Chemistry International 3(3) (2017) 212-218 iscientic.org. 213 www.bosaljournals/chemint/ editorci@bosaljournals.com metals can directly influence behaviour by impairing mental and neurological function, influencing neurotransmitter production and utilization, and altering numerous metabolic body processes (Hu et al., 2003; Dauwe et al., 2004). Systems in which toxic metals can induce impairment and dysfunction include the blood and cardiovascular, eliminative pathways (colon, liver, kidneys, skin), endocrine (hormonal), energy production pathways, enzymatic, gastrointestinal, immune, nervous (central and peripheral). This was attributed to the higher transfer rates of the added ingredients to smoke (Mumtaz et al., 1999). In addition to occupational exposure tobacco smoke is a potential source of some toxic trace elements including inorganic carcinogens (Chang et al., 2005). Only the tobacco companies know exactly what goes into each cigarette, and only some of this information is available. A wide range of toxic metals is found in tobacco, depending largely on the soil content where the tobacco plant is grown. The use of fertilizers has been blamed for high concentrations of arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and selenium in tobacco. Tobacco plant is amenable to absorb and accumulate heavy metal species from the soil into its leaves (Zhang et al., 2005). Cigarette smoke contains particles and gases generated by the combustion of its various components at high temperature. More than 4000 compounds have been identified in environmental tobacco smoke. The cigarette smoke can be inhaled directly by the smoker and non-smokers in cigarettecontaminated environment through passive smoking (DiCarlantonio and Talbot, 1999). There are several studies reported in the literature on heavy metal contents in the cigarettes sold and smoked in different parts of the world. Vincent et al. (2011) have reported a comparative evaluation and toxicity assessment of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Zn) in commonly smoked cigarette brands and local tobacco snuff purchased and consumed in Nigeria. Pourkhabbaz and Pourkhabbaz (2012) have investigated the levels of toxic metals (Cd, Cu, Co Ni, Zn and Pb) in the tobacco of different Iranian cigarette brands and related health issues. Ashraf (2012) has reported levels of Cd and Pb in popular cigarette brands sold and/or produced in Saudi Arabia. Level of heavy metals (Cr, Cd and Pb) in selected cigarettes and tobacco leaves in Benue State, Nigeria has been reported by Eneji et al. (2013). Sebiawu et al. (2014) have reported the analysis of heavy metals (As, Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Se) content of tobacco and cigarettes sold in Wa Municipality of Upper West Region, Ghana. Caruso et al. (2014) have determined the toxic metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) in cigarettes obtained from U.S. smokers in 2009 under the umbrella of International Tobacco Control United States Survey Cohort. Regassa and Chandravanshi (2016) have reported the levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the raw and processed Ethiopian tobacco leaves. In Ethiopia, there are imported and locally manufactured cigarettes with unknown metal contents. The different brands of cigarettes sold in Ethiopia are Nyala, Gisela, Marlboro Light (local), and Rothmans, Marlboro Red, Benson, Winston, Kents, London, Gold seal, Ronson and Ghamdan (imported). However, there is no study reported in the literature on the levels of heavy metals in tobacco of different cigarettes sold in Ethiopia. Hence it is worth to determine the contents of toxic heavy metals in cigarettes sold in Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the levels of heavy metals in different brands of cigarettes sold in Ethiopia, (ii) to compare the levels of heavy metals in the Ethiopian cigarettes with that of imported cigarettes sold in Ethiopia, and (iii) to compare the levels of heavy metals in the cigarettes sold in Ethiopia with literature reports on cigarettes sold or smoked around the world. MATERIAL AND METHODS