About half the compounds are found naturally in the green tobacco leaf and half are created by chemical reaction when tobacco is burned. Some are introduced during the curing process, others are added by manufacturers to impart a distinctive flavour or quality to their product. At high concentrations, CO starves the body of oxygen. Prolonged exposure at low doses can lead to cardiovascular disease. A caustic agent used in fertilizers and bathroom cleaners.
Ammonia can increase susceptibility to viral illness and aggravate chronic respiratory conditions.
It is among the most toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Short-term exposure can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Severe lead poisoning can cause birth defects and learning disabilities in children. Studies have shown that children who live with a smoking parent have more lead in their blood than children living in the vicinity of a lead smelter. Each of these substances, taken alone, might seriously harm human health.