Lead (in Cigs)

Lead is a soft, heavy, toxic and malleable metal that is bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes to dull gray when exposed to air. It has the highest atomic number of all stable (that is, non-radioactive) elements. Lead is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries, bullets and shot.

Lead can have many adverse effects on human health.
Lead poisoning affects nearly every system in the body, and may occur without noticeable symptoms. Low but on-going exposure over time can affect the developing nervous systems (children are most at risk) in subtle but persistent ways. Possible effects can include: stunted growth; reduced attention span; learning disabilities; reduced Intelligence Quotient (IQ); damage to hearing; and behavioural issues.

Note that the list of chemicals included in this section (see the list on the left) is not a complete list of all the substances found in cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.