260 Unit 4 Understanding and Avoiding Hazardous Substances Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Tobacco and Your Body On average, long-term smokers die 13 to 15 years earlier than nonsmokers. Tobacco use increases a person’s risk for developing cancers of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, lung, and bladder. People who smoke also increase their risk for developing coronary heart disease, stroke, emphysema, bronchitis, and respiratory infections. The Surgeon General of the United States recently issued a report that showed higher risk factors among smokers for developing diabetes, colorectal and liver cancers, vision loss, tuberculosis, and arthritis. People who smoke also have a higher risk factor for minor health problems. Tobacco products and smoke contain thousands of chemicals and toxic substances that harm the body. Nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, and carcinogens are just a few of the harmful substances present in tobacco products (Figure 9.2). Many health problems result from damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems caused by the harmful substances in tobacco products. These health problems can interfere with a teenager’s quality of life and athletic performance. The Cardiovascular System The cardiovascular system includes the heart and blood transportation system in your body. Smokers have a higher risk of developing heart dis- ease and hypertension (high blood pressure) than nonsmokers. Smokers are also twice as likely to die from a heart attack as nonsmokers. This is partly because of the substantial impact that nicotine and carbon monoxide have on the cardiovascular system. Nicotine. When people use forms of tobacco, nicotine enters their bloodstream. Its presence triggers the release of the hormone adrenaline, a e stimulant. Adrenaline triggers an increase in heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. This increase in speed and pressure of blood flow in the fl body makes the heart work harder to pump blood faster around the body. Nicotine also causes the blood vessels to constrict. The heart must work harder to pump blood through increasingly narrow vessels. Gradually, nicotine leads to changes in the walls of the blood vessels, which make it easier for fatty substances such as cholesterol (plaque) ( ( to build up in the arteries. This can dis- rupt the fl ow of blood through the body because the fatty deposits restrict the fl ease of blood transportation. Over time, this buildup increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, which occur when an artery becomes completely blocked. Carbon Monoxide. Cigarette smoke contains high levels of carbon monoxide, e a poisonous gas. When inhaled, carbon monoxide interferes with the ability of blood cells to carry oxygen. This reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart. Figure 9.2 Chemicals Found in Cigarettes Chemical Other Locations acetone found in nail polish remover acetic acid an ingredient in hair dye ammonia a common household cleaner arsenic used in rat poison benzene found in rubber cement butane used in lighter fl uid cadmium active component in battery acid carbon monoxide released in car exhaust fumes formaldehyde embalming fl uid hexamine found in barbecue lighter fl uid lead used in batteries naphthalene an ingredient in mothballs methanol a main component in rocket fuel nicotine used as insecticide tar material for paving roads toluene used to manufacture paint carbon monoxide a poisonous gas found in cigarette smoke negatively affects cells’ ability to carry oxygen