Determination of major heavy metal in maraş powder(nicotiana rustica linn)

Smokeless tobacco is one of the most important addictive substances derived from plant leaves. The use of Maraş powder (Nicotiana Rustıca Linn) by certain groups causes health problems including chronic diseases or cancer. Our aim was to determine the heavy metal levels in maraş powder using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In this study, Turkey's southwest and in the provinces of users located in the Mediterranean region 16 maraş powder (smokeless tobacco) samples were collected. Levels of 15 elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg and Pb) were determined by ICP-MS. The highest concentrations were found in the following order: Fe (1.87-1.82 µg/g), As (0.99-1.03 µg/g), Al (0.98-0.96 µg/g) and Mn (0.96-0.94 µg/g). The lowest concentrations were for Cr (0.23-0.22 µg/g), Co (0.010-0.011 µg/g), Ni (0.06-0.05 µg/g), Cu (0.0320-0.0322 µg/g), Zn (0.1814-0.1817 µg/g), Se (0.74-0.75 µg/g), Cd (0.0009-0.001 µg/g), Sn (0.000-0.001 µg/g), Sb (0.001-0.0012 µg/g), Hg (0.0006-0.0007 µg/g) and Pb (0.002-0.004 µg/g). According to the results obtained; It is remarkable that some heavy metals in tobacco samples are above the critical levels determined by the World Health Organization. In addition to the measures taken by public institutions and organizations, we think that increasing the awareness level and awareness of the society is of great importance in dealing with many tobacco-related public health problems.