Comparative chemical analysis of indian bidi and American cigarette smoke

Abstract

Human data suggest an association between bidi smoking and cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and lung. The mainstream smoke of a popular Indian bidi and a popular US non‐filter cigarette were analyzed. Compared to cigarette smoke, bidi smoke has a high content of several toxic agents such as carbon monoxide (7.7 vs 3.5 vol. %), ammonia (284 vs 180 μg), hydrogen cyanide (903 vs 445 μg), phenol (250 vs 150 μg), other volatile phenols (264 vs 173 μg) and carcinogenic hydrocarbons, benz[a]anthracene (117 vs 81 μg) and benzo[a]pyrene (78 vs 47 ng). These chemical data suggest that the smoke of bidis has a carcinogenic activity and underline the need for bioassaying this inhalant.