Hookah more dangerous than other forms of smoking tobacco

According to a study published in the journal Aerosol Science and Technology, Hookahi is more dangerous than other forms of smoking tobacco.

A new study shows that the increasing popularity of hookah is more dangerous than other forms of smoking tobacco. The researches used a custom-built testing device which analyzed emissions of a typical hookah session and found that the substances draw from a pipe contains more harmful or poisonous substances as a cigarette.

The study is published in the journal Aerosol Science and Technology.

"Hookah mainstream smoke, which is directly inhaled, has many toxic and harmful chemicals, like nicotine that can lead to tobacco addiction, irritating carbonyl compounds, and benzene, a known carcinogen," said study lead author Veronique Perraud from the University of California. 

"Due to the greater volume inhaled in every puff and the longer duration of a smoking session, the hookah often delivers a higher dose of those chemicals to the smoker," Perraud said. It also produced a large quantity of carbon monoxide, mainly from the burning of charcoal to heat the tobacco or herbal mixture in its bowl. 

In addition to testing ordinary tobacco, the group also studied a nicotine-free herbal mixture, marketed as a healthier alternative, and discovered that it produced even higher levels of toxic gases.

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The study is the first to characterize ultra-fine particles (with a diameter smaller than 100 nanometers) in the inhaled smoke. According to the study, these minuscule particles can pose significant health risks by making their way deep into the pulmonary system and by readily crossing the blood-brain barrier

The researchers measured the chemical composition of gases and solids emitted during a hookah session in real-time. "Through our technique of testing emissions in the beginning, midpoint, and end of a smoking session, we were able to show that a smoker is exposed to a higher quantity of ultrafine particles during the first 10 minutes compared with the rest of the session," she said.