Determination of uranium and heavy metals in cigarettes and tobacco plants; health risk assessment

Abstract Tobacco plants accumulate radionuclides and heavy metals in different parts (leaves, stems, root). In this study determination of uranium isotopes and heavy metals was undertaken in some of the most popular brands of cigarettes as well as in tobacco leaves and in soil samples from Turkey. The activity concentrations of U-238 and U-234 were measured by α-spectrometry, and the effective annual dose was estimated. The metals concentrations such as As, Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, Cd, were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Transfer factors and risk assessment were calculated, indicated that the concentration of heavy metals range in normal values but show a significant potential health risk to users.