Stephen B. Stanfill

In the 20th century, 100 million deaths were attributed to tobacco use. Newly planted tobacco generally contains low levels of carcinogens and absorbable (free) nicotine. During tobacco cultivation/production, addictive, harmful, and carcinogenic agents (and their precursors) can result from soil uptake/leaf deposition (toxic metals, nitrate, microbes), biosynthesis (nicotine, minor alkaloids), microbial activity under certain conditions (Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin; endotoxins; nitrite, TSNAs, volatile nitrosamines, nitrosoacids), fire-curing (PAHs, VOCs), additives (areca nut, tonka bean, khat, diphenyl ether), and pH-boosting agents (increases free nicotine). Our focus includes these agents; toxicant formation mechanisms; and investigating strategies for decreasing harmful agents.