From: Securing Industry
A study of counterfeit cigarettes seized in the US supply chain has found that are almost always loaded with lead and cadmium, heavy metals known to be hazardous to health.
In the sampling study, researchers analysed 23 packs of cigarettes intercepted by various law enforcement agencies and found that on average their lead concentrations were around 10-fold higher than genuine equivalents, with cadmium levels approximately five times higher.
Exposure to lead has been linked to the development of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while cadmium is recognised carcinogen, and 22 out of the 23 samples showed elevated levels.
