Final answer:
Tobacco smoke contains hazardous compounds, such as benzopyrene and acrolein, that are known to be carcinogenic. Secondhand smoke also contains chemicals like formaldehyde and PAHs which negatively impact human health. These compounds pose serious health risks to both smokers and non-smokers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tobacco smoke contains dozens of hazardous compounds that are known to be carcinogenic, or cancer-causing. Some of the most potent carcinogens found in tobacco smoke include benzopyrene, acrolein, and nitrosamines. In addition, tobacco smoke also contains radioactive isotopes, such as lead-210 and polonium-210, which are also hazardous to human health.
Secondhand smoke, which is a combination of mainstream smoke inhaled by the smoker and sidestream smoke released by the burning cigarette, contains at least 40 chemicals that negatively impact human health. These chemicals can lead to the development of cancer, immune system dysfunction, liver toxicity, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and neurological dysfunction. Some major classes of carcinogens found in secondhand smoke include polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde.
Overall, the chemicals present in tobacco smoke pose serious health risks and are known to be hazardous to both smokers and non-smokers.