Studies on jurak smoke : II the metallic constituents of jurak paste and jurak smoke

Abstract EN

The concentration of 16 metals in jurak paste and jurak smoke condensate has been determined by atomic absorption.

In jurak paste the main metallic constituents are Ca, Si, Fe, Al and K which represent 98.39%.

Trace amounts of Sr, Ti, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, As and Cd are present and represent only 1.61%.

In the inhalant smoke Ca, Si, Fe, K and Zn are the major elements and represent 99.22% and the remaining 0.78% comprise traces of the other metals.

Out of 14.685 mg metals present in one gram jurak paste only 3.075 u.g are transferred to the inhalant smoke.

It appears that water in the shisha reservoir retain some metallic inhalants by acting as a condensation medium, and thus reduce the carcinogenic effect of the metallic components in jurak smoke.