If you have ever been unfortunate enough to pass through a cloud of cigarette smoke, you have probably noticed how nasty these little sticks actually smell. Besides the sour, noxious fragrance of burning tobacco and its horde of chemicals, though, have you ever noticed an undeniably sweet, pungent smell bursting through? Once you learn what produces this smell, you will probably think twice about approaching smokers or taking another drag off a cigarette, for that matter. In that light, the chemical that produces this sickly-sweet smell is called vinyl chloride, also called chloroethylene, ethylene monochloride, or monochloroethylene, a disgusting manmade fluid that is used in a variety of brake fluids (making us appreciate how dangerous cigarettes really are). Let’s take a closer look at why this liquid is so toxic.
What Is Vinyl Chloride Used For?
Until the middle of the 1970s, manufacturers used vinyl chloride in a variety of products ranging from cosmetics to aerosol cans, but you may recognize one current product that contains this substance: polyvinyl chloride (PVC). From wire insulation to Comic-Con statues, this product is found virtually everywhere. Besides cigarette use, the only other ways people are accidentally exposed to vinyl chloride are workplaces where plastic products are made or standing next to a hazardous waste site.
Obviously, this is the last product you want to inhale.
Presence in Cigarettes
Ultimately, vinyl chloride is present in firsthand and secondhand smoke produced by cigarettes, but only in extremely minimal levels. Reports indicate that one cigarette contains five to 30 nanograms (keep in mind that one nanogram is 0.000000001 grams, or one-billionth of a gram). However, science has proven that the smallest quantity of this chemical can boost the risk for liver and breast cancers.
Cancer and Vinyl Chloride
Overall, vinyl chloride can induce cancer of the:
- Liver;
- Brain;
- Lungs;
- Immune system; and
- Blood/marrow.
Seeking Treatment for Cigarette Use
Remember that addiction can be triggered by one shot of alcohol or a single puff of a cigarette, but the true danger of this sickness is that you cannot fully determine how much you have to consume before your mind forms an attachment. Social smoking is just as dangerous as chronic smoking, on many levels, but you do not have to smoke to have a good time. Remember, drugs cannot determine if you have fun and do not have control over your life.
If you are suffering from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction, or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
