Nature 249, 215 - 217 (17 May 1974); doi:10.1038/249215a0

Radioactivity of tobacco trichomes and insoluble cigarette smoke particles

Edward A. Martell

National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado 80302

Airborne ²¹⁰Pb is concentrated on small Aitken particles which accumulate on tobacco trichomes. Tobacco curing and the combustion of trichomes in burning cigarettes produce insoluble particles of high ²¹⁰Pb radioactivity which are inhaled and deposited in the bronchi of smokers. The subsequent ingrowth of ²¹⁰Po results in high local a irradiation which may account for bronchial cancer among smokers.

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