The Effect of Soil Heavy Metal Contents on Heavy Metals in Tobacco Leaves and in the Course of Smoking

In order to provide experimental evidence for practical safety measure in tobacco production, the quantitative relationship of Cd, Pb, Hg and Cr contents among soil-tobacco-smoke was investigated by displacing soil in field, as well as the volatile quantity of heavy metal elements in the course of smoking. The results showed that the Cd contents in tobacco leaves and cigarettes increased with soil Cd content at 1% significant level. There were 1% significantly positive correlations among Cd contents in soil, tobacco and smoke. The contents of Hg, Pb and Cr in tobacco and the corresponding part of cigarettes changed at remarkable or extremely remarkable level as that in soil changed. However, there was no notable regular variation. The results also showed high significant positive correlation between Hg, Pb and Cr contents in smoke and those in tobacco. The volatility of Cd and Hg in cigarette were very high and their absorption capacity in cigarette butt and filter tip in the course of smoke were very low. However, volatile quantity of Pb and Cr were lower and their absorption capacity in cigarette butt and filter tip were higher.