EVERY day, combustion is at work around us. Whether it’s striking of a match, the burning of fossil fuels, or the lighting of a cigarettes, the act of burning is so deeply embedded in human activity that we rarely pause to consider its effects.
Yet, the process of combustion – while central to energy production, cooking, and even personal habits like smoking – has profound and often devasting implications for health and the environment.
As such, understanding the chemistry behind combustion can illuminate the dangers it poses and inspire actions toward safer alternatives.
The Chemical Complexity of Combustion
Combustion is a chemical reaction that occurs when a material reacts with oxygen to release energy. While it may sound straightforward, this reaction is anything but simple.
When substances burn, they release a complex mixture of chemicals— many with dire consequences for human health and the environment.
For instance, when tobacco burns at temperatures between 600°C and 800°C, it does not only deliver nicotine and flavor but also produces over 6,000 chemicals. Of these, about 100 are known or suspected to cause serious diseases, including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and emphysema. 1
This stark reality underscores why burning—not nicotine itself—is the primary driver of smoking-related diseases.
A study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal highlights that combustion by-products including carbon monoxide and benzene are significant contributors to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. 2
However, the problem is not limited to just tobacco.
Tobacco Combustion: A Unique Threat
The harm caused by tobacco combustion is unparalleled. Cigarette smoke not only delivers nicotine but also exposes smokers—and those around them—to harmful chemicals such as tar, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide. These harmful substances arise exclusively from the burning process, making combustion the root cause of most smoking-related Understanding the Deadly Chemistry of Combustion illnesses.
Dr Tom McGrath, Philip Morris International’s Global Head of Combustion and Product Science, emphasis that eliminating combustion and reducing the temperature at which tobacco is heated can significantly lower the levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents. In the aerosol produced by tobacco heating systems, these harmful substances are reduced on average by 90–95% compared to cigarette smoke. 3
While quitting smoking altogether remains the best choice for any smoker, many find it difficult to do so, or rather choose not to do so.
For these individuals, alternatives that eliminate combustion—such as heated tobacco products (HTPs), electronic cigarettes (vapes), nicotine pouches (snus), and nicotine patches—offer a potentially less harmful path.
Health Impacts Beyond Smoking
The dangers of combustion extend far beyond smoking. Combustion affects air quality, contributing to a range of health and environmental issues.
Poorly controlled fires exacerbate these risks, as noted in Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 4
For example, smoke from burning wood contains fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory problems and cardiovascular stress.
Similarly, fossil fuel combustion for energy releases pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which worsen conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
According to the Journal of Public Health Policy, coal emissions are directly linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in urban areas. Even vehicle emissions—another form of combustion—release pollutants that silently threaten public health.
Toward a Smoke-Free Future Considering the dangers, efforts to transition away from combustion are gaining momentum. In tobacco, innovations like HTPs heat tobacco without burning it, significantly reducing the harmful chemicals produced. While not riskfree, these products represent a step toward harm reduction for smokers who cannot quit entirely.
In energy, renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power eliminate the need for combustion, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Governments are also implementing stricter regulations, from vehicle emission standards to carbon pricing, to curb reliance on combustion.
A Call to Action
Combustion has powered human progress for centuries, but its hidden costs can no longer be ignored. Reducing personal reliance on combustion—whether by quitting smoking, using cleaner cooking methods, or opting for public transportation—can make a meaningful difference. Supporting renewable energy and advocating for policies that prioritize sustainability are equally critical.
By understanding the deadly chemistry of combustion and exploring better alternatives, we can protect both ourselves and future generations from its devastating effects.
The Way Forward
Combustion’s role in human progress is undeniable, but so too are its profound costs. From the air we breathe to the planet we inhabit, the effects of burning are pervasive and damaging. Transitioning away from combustion is not just a necessity— it’s an opportunity to embrace cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable ways of living. By taking informed action today, we can minimize combustion’s impact and create a safer, more resilient future.
References:
1. https://www.pmi.com/ourscience/the-problem-withburning
2. https://ehp.niehs.nih. gov/doi/pdf/10.1289/ ehp.02110s4505?utm
3. https://www.pmiscience.com/ en/news-events/open-science/ september-open-sciencepresentations/
4. https:// particleandfibretoxicology. biomedcentral.com/ articles/10.1186/1743-8977-6- 29?utm
