7 Chemicals in Cigarettes That Cause Cancer

5. 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)

NNK’s concentration per cigarette can range from 80 to 770ng

NNK takes fifth place on our list of 7 Chemicals in Cigarettes That Cause Cancer. It belongs to a group of N-Nitrosamines, which contains 8 carcinogens in cigarettes. These chemicals, made of nitrogen and oxygen, are found in products made of latex, such as balloons, but also in food, which is why U.S. government set limits on the amount of nitrites used in meat products. According to Stephen S. Hecht, the total dose of NNK experienced by a smoker in a lifetime of smoking is remarkably close to the lowest total dose shown to induce lung tumors in rats.