Composition in numbers
Per product. Heated tobacco product — THS; filter cigarette — reference 3R4F.
| Substance | Unit | heated tobacco products300 °C | filter cigarettes800 °C | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General indicators3 | ||||
| Collected Mass (ACM) Total mass of aerosol or smoke particles collected on a filter pad — a summary measure, not a single substance. | mg | 47.5 | 44.9 | −2.6mg−5.8 %more at 300 °C, ×1.1 |
| Nicotine (C₁₀H₁₄N₂) A natural pyridine alkaloid with both psychostimulant and neurotoxic properties. Read more → | mg | 1.07 | 1.86 | +0.79mg+73.8 %more at 800 °C, ×1.7 |
| Glycerol (C₃H₈O₃) A viscous, colorless, odorless liquid with a sweetish taste — the simplest trihydric alcohol. Read more → | mg | 3.87 | 2.26 | −1.61mg−71.2 %more at 300 °C, ×1.7 |
| Gases5 | ||||
| Carbon monoxide (CO) (CO) A colorless, odorless gas that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Read more → | mg | 0.324 | 30.2 | +29.876mg+9,220.99 %more at 800 °C, ×93.2 |
| Nitric oxide (NO) (NO) A colorless gas, a combustion intermediate and a natural signaling molecule in the body. Read more → | µg | 8.95 | 504 | +495.05µg+5,531.28 %more at 800 °C, ×56.3 |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) A group of gaseous nitrogen oxides formed during combustion that irritate the airways. | µg | 9.8 | 560 | +550.2µg+5,614.29 %more at 800 °C, ×57.1 |
| Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) A volatile liquid or gas smelling of bitter almonds that blocks cellular respiration. Read more → | µg | 2.62 | 365 | +362.38µg+13,831.3 %more at 800 °C, ×139 |
| Ammonia (NH₃) A colorless, sharp-smelling gas that irritates the airways and mucous membranes. Read more → | µg | 10 | 29.3 | +19.3µg+193 %more at 800 °C, ×2.9 |
| Carbonyls8 | ||||
| Formaldehyde (CH₂O) The simplest aldehyde — a colorless, sharp-smelling gas that irritates mucous membranes; classified as a carcinogen. Read more → | µg | 9.03 | 85.2 | +76.17µg+843.52 %more at 800 °C, ×9.4 |
| Acetaldehyde (C₂H₄O) A volatile, sharp-smelling aldehyde and an intermediate product of ethanol metabolism in the body. Read more → | µg | 158 | 1,641 | +1,483µg+938.61 %more at 800 °C, ×10.4 |
| Acrolein (C₃H₄O) An unsaturated aldehyde with a pungent odor — a strong irritant of the airways and eyes. Read more → | µg | 7.95 | 156 | +148.05µg+1,862.26 %more at 800 °C, ×19.6 |
| Butyraldehyde (C₄H₈O) A sharp-smelling aldehyde used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis. Read more → | µg | 14.1 | 83.5 | +69.4µg+492.2 %more at 800 °C, ×5.9 |
| Acetone (C₃H₆O) The simplest ketone — a colorless, volatile liquid with a distinctive smell, a common solvent. Read more → | µg | 25.4 | 690 | +664.6µg+2,616.54 %more at 800 °C, ×27.2 |
| Crotonaldehyde (C₄H₆O) An unsaturated aldehyde with a sharp odor, a strong irritant of the airways and eyes. Read more → | µg | 1.645 | 50.5 | +48.855µg+2,969.91 %more at 800 °C, ×30.7 |
| Propionaldehyde (C₃H₆O) A sharp-smelling aldehyde used as a chemical synthesis intermediate. Read more → | µg | 8.83 | 123 | +114.17µg+1,292.98 %more at 800 °C, ×13.9 |
| Methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) (C₄H₈O) A volatile ketone smelling like acetone, a common industrial solvent. Read more → | µg | 5.42 | 185 | +179.58µg+3,313.28 %more at 800 °C, ×34.1 |
| Volatile organic compounds9 | ||||
| 1,3-Butadiene (C₄H₆) A colorless, volatile hydrocarbon used to make synthetic rubber; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | µg | 0.14 | 98.5 | +98.36µg+70,257.14 %more at 800 °C, ×704 |
| Isoprene (C₅H₈) A volatile hydrocarbon, a natural plant compound and the monomer of natural rubber. Read more → | µg | 1.54 | 894 | +892.46µg+57,951.95 %more at 800 °C, ×581 |
| Acrylonitrile (C₃H₃N) A volatile, colorless liquid, the monomer used to make acrylic fibers and plastics. Read more → | µg | 0.0535 | 24.5 | +24.4465µg+45,694.39 %more at 800 °C, ×458 |
| Benzene (C₆H₆) An aromatic hydrocarbon — a colorless, volatile liquid; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | µg | 0.348 | 81.1 | +80.752µg+23,204.6 %more at 800 °C, ×233 |
| Toluene (C₇H₈) An aromatic hydrocarbon — a colorless, volatile liquid with a distinctive smell, used as a solvent. Read more → | µg | 1.08 | 137 | +135.92µg+12,585.19 %more at 800 °C, ×127 |
| Styrene (C₈H₈) An aromatic hydrocarbon — a colorless liquid, the monomer used to make polystyrene. Read more → | µg | 0.259 | 15.4 | +15.141µg+5,845.95 %more at 800 °C, ×59.5 |
| Ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) A colorless gas used in chemical synthesis and sterilization; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | µg | 0.165 | 22.7 | +22.535µg+13,657.58 %more at 800 °C, ×138 |
| Propylene oxide (C₃H₆O) A volatile, colorless liquid used as a raw material for polyurethanes; classified as a probable carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 122 | 1,103 | +981ng+804.1 %more at 800 °C, ×9 |
| Vinyl chloride (C₂H₃Cl) A colorless gas used as the raw material for PVC; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 0.3285 | 103 | +102.6715ng+31,254.64 %more at 800 °C, ×314 |
| Tobacco-specific nitrosamines4 | ||||
| N-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) (C₉H₁₁N₃O) A tobacco-specific nitrosamine formed during tobacco processing; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 10.6 | 283 | +272.4ng+2,569.81 %more at 800 °C, ×26.7 |
| 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) (C₁₀H₁₃N₃O₂) A tobacco-specific nitrosamine derived from nicotine; one of the most potent carcinogens in tobacco smoke. | ng | 8.95 | 264 | +255.05ng+2,849.72 %more at 800 °C, ×29.5 |
| N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB) (C₁₀H₁₃N₃O) A tobacco-specific nitrosamine formed from the alkaloid anabasine during tobacco processing. | ng | 2.57 | 30.2 | +27.63ng+1,075.1 %more at 800 °C, ×11.8 |
| N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT) (C₁₀H₁₁N₃O) A tobacco-specific nitrosamine formed from the alkaloid anatabine during tobacco processing. | ng | 18.2 | 270 | +251.8ng+1,383.52 %more at 800 °C, ×14.8 |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons4 | ||||
| Benzo[a]pyrene (C₂₀H₁₂) A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed by incomplete combustion; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 0.6 | 15 | +14.4ng+2,400 %more at 800 °C, ×25 |
| Benz[a]anthracene (C₁₈H₁₂) A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed by incomplete combustion; classified as a probable carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 1.28 | 27.1 | +25.82ng+2,017.19 %more at 800 °C, ×21.2 |
| Dibenz[a,h]anthracene (C₂₂H₁₄) A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed by incomplete combustion; classified as a probable carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 0.062 | 0.853 | +0.791ng+1,275.81 %more at 800 °C, ×13.8 |
| Pyrene (C₁₆H₁₀) A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed by the incomplete combustion of organic material. Read more → | ng | 5.26 | 81.8 | +76.54ng+1,455.13 %more at 800 °C, ×15.6 |
| Aromatic amines5 | ||||
| 1-Aminonaphthalene (C₁₀H₉N) A naphthalene-based aromatic amine used as a chemical synthesis intermediate. Read more → | ng | 0.0135 | 21.6 | +21.5865ng+159,900 %more at 800 °C, ×1,600 |
| 2-Aminonaphthalene (C₁₀H₉N) A naphthalene-based aromatic amine; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 0.006 | 16.2 | +16.194ng+269,900 %more at 800 °C, ×2,700 |
| 3-Aminobiphenyl (C₁₂H₁₁N) An aromatic amine, an isomer of aminobiphenyl, used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis. Read more → | ng | 0.0041 | 4.18 | +4.1759ng+101,851.22 %more at 800 °C, ×1,020 |
| 4-Aminobiphenyl (C₁₂H₁₁N) An aromatic amine formerly used in industry; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 0.0053 | 2.83 | +2.8247ng+53,296.23 %more at 800 °C, ×534 |
| o-Toluidine (C₇H₉N) An aromatic amine used as a dye-synthesis intermediate; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 0.887 | 105 | +104.113ng+11,737.66 %more at 800 °C, ×118 |
| Phenolics7 | ||||
| Phenol (C₆H₆O) An aromatic compound with a hydroxyl group — a colorless crystalline solid with a distinctive odor. Read more → | µg | 0.989 | 14 | +13.011µg+1,315.57 %more at 800 °C, ×14.2 |
| Catechol (C₆H₆O₂) A dihydric phenol — a colorless crystalline solid used as a chemical synthesis intermediate. Read more → | µg | 8.44 | 89.8 | +81.36µg+963.98 %more at 800 °C, ×10.6 |
| Hydroquinone (C₆H₆O₂) A dihydric phenol used as a photographic developer and a skin-lightening agent. Read more → | µg | 5.5 | 89.1 | +83.6µg+1,520 %more at 800 °C, ×16.2 |
| Resorcinol (C₆H₆O₂) A dihydric phenol used in resin manufacturing and as an antiseptic. Read more → | µg | 0.008 | 1.79 | +1.782µg+22,275 %more at 800 °C, ×224 |
| m-Cresol (C₇H₈O) A cresol isomer — an aromatic compound with a sharp smell, used as a disinfectant. Read more → | µg | 0.0198 | 3.51 | +3.4902µg+17,627.27 %more at 800 °C, ×177 |
| p-Cresol (C₇H₈O) A cresol isomer — an aromatic compound with a sharp smell, formed by metabolism and processing. Read more → | µg | 0.0454 | 8.63 | +8.5846µg+18,908.81 %more at 800 °C, ×190 |
| o-Cresol (C₇H₈O) A cresol isomer — an aromatic compound with a sharp smell, a synthesis intermediate. Read more → | µg | 0.0476 | 4.15 | +4.1024µg+8,618.49 %more at 800 °C, ×87.2 |
| Metals7 | ||||
| Arsenic (As) A naturally occurring metalloid; inorganic arsenic compounds are classified as human carcinogens. Read more → | ng | 0.375 | 7.9 | +7.525ng+2,006.67 %more at 800 °C, ×21.1 |
| Cadmium (Cd) A heavy metal that accumulates in the body; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more → | ng | 0.0375 | 92.9 | +92.8625ng+247,633.33 %more at 800 °C, ×2,477 |
| Chromium (Cr) A metal; hexavalent chromium compounds are classified as human carcinogens. Read more → | ng | 1.25 | 5.5 | +4.25ng+340 %more at 800 °C, ×4.4 |
| Lead (Pb) A heavy metal that is toxic to the nervous system and accumulates in the body. Read more → | ng | 0.25 | 32.1 | +31.85ng+12,740 %more at 800 °C, ×128 |
| Mercury (Hg) A heavy metal, the only one liquid at room temperature; toxic to the nervous system. Read more → | ng | 1.62 | 4.77 | +3.15ng+194.44 %more at 800 °C, ×2.9 |
| Nickel (Ni) A metal; certain nickel compounds are classified as human carcinogens. Read more → | ng | 2.5 | 7.95 | +5.45ng+218 %more at 800 °C, ×3.2 |
| Selenium (Se) A trace element the body needs in tiny amounts, but toxic at higher doses. Read more → | ng | 0.2 | 1.95 | +1.75ng+875 %more at 800 °C, ×9.8 |
| Other substances5 | ||||
| Acetamide (C₂H₅NO) The simplest amide of acetic acid — a colorless crystalline substance. Read more → | µg | 2.04 | 12.9 | +10.86µg+532.35 %more at 800 °C, ×6.3 |
| Acrylamide (C₃H₅NO) A white crystalline solid, the monomer of polyacrylamide; classified as a probable carcinogen. Read more → | µg | 0.773 | 4.46 | +3.687µg+476.97 %more at 800 °C, ×5.8 |
| Pyridine (C₅H₅N) A heterocyclic aromatic compound with a sharp odor — a solvent and synthesis intermediate. Read more → | µg | 4.77 | 29.7 | +24.93µg+522.64 %more at 800 °C, ×6.2 |
| Quinoline (C₉H₇N) A heterocyclic aromatic compound with a distinctive smell, a synthesis intermediate. Read more → | µg | 0.0055 | 0.431 | +0.4255µg+7,736.36 %more at 800 °C, ×78.4 |
| Nitrobenzene (C₆H₅NO₂) An aromatic compound smelling of bitter almonds, an intermediate in aniline synthesis. Read more → | µg | 0.0055 | 0.019 | +0.0135µg+245.45 %more at 800 °C, ×3.5 |
Values are per single product unit and measured under one protocol — Health Canada Intense (HCI). The 300 °C and 800 °C figures describe the process itself, heating and burning, not separate measurement points.
More about the method →Practice
The game module builds molecules from this same table and shows what happens to the composition under heating and burning.
Open the gameComposition in numbers
Per product. Heated tobacco product — THS; filter cigarette — reference 3R4F.
A tobacco-specific nitrosamine formed during tobacco processing; classified as a human carcinogen. Read more →
more at 800 °C+2,569.81 %
A tobacco-specific nitrosamine derived from nicotine; one of the most potent carcinogens in tobacco smoke.
more at 800 °C+2,849.72 %
A tobacco-specific nitrosamine formed from the alkaloid anabasine during tobacco processing.
more at 800 °C+1,075.1 %
A tobacco-specific nitrosamine formed from the alkaloid anatabine during tobacco processing.
more at 800 °C+1,383.52 %
Values are per single product unit and measured under one protocol — Health Canada Intense (HCI). The 300 °C and 800 °C figures describe the process itself, heating and burning, not separate measurement points.
More about the method →Practice
The game module builds molecules from this same table and shows what happens to the composition under heating and burning.
Open the game