Perspective Chapter: Tobacco, Urban Living and Radiological Health Risks – A Public Health Perspective

Tobacco smoke contains numerous carcinogens, including benzo[a]pyrene, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and radioactive substances – an often-overlooked but significant hazard. Since the 1960s, studies have identified radioactive isotopes such as polonium-210 (Po-210) in tobacco leaves and cigarette smoke. These radionuclides accumulate in smokers’ lungs, particularly in bronchial bifurcations, where the radiation dose may reach levels 100 to 1,000 times higher than natural background radiation. A person smoking one pack daily for 25 years may absorb up to 2.5 sieverts at critical lung sites – equivalent to five daily chest X-rays. In urban environments, where smoking rates and secondhand smoke exposure are concentrated, this radiological burden represents a pressing public health issue. Effective responses must include comprehensive tobacco control policies, targeted health education, and access to early detection tools such as low-dose CT screening for high-risk individuals. Integrating radiological risk awareness into urban health strategies is essential for reducing smoking-related morbidity and creating healthier, more equitable cities.