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Smoke is the result of any incomplete combustion. When carbon-containing substances are not oxidized properly (that is, when they burn incompletely), then particles of that substance form a suspension with air, which is called smoke. Smoke usually contains carbon particles in hydrocarbon form, but sometimes it may also contain sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, etc.
Smoke is always an environmental hazard. It is today considered the major cause of pollution. The carbon monoxide from vehicles is one of the most prominent forms of smoke today. There are also the chlorofluorocarbons or the CFCs, released from liquids in refrigerators and air-conditioners, which have become responsible for the hole in the ozone layer. Smoke from factories also is a major contributor of air pollution. Factory smoke usually contains sulfur dioxide.
Cigarette smoke is arguably the most hazardous human-created smoke. Even if you don't smoke, you may still inhale the fumes when someone else near you is smoking. Cigarette smoke contains nicotine along with benzene, tar and poisonous elements like lead, arsenic and cadmium, most of which are carcinogens. This forms the major pollution in many smoke bars, clubs, pubs and discos.
Smoke can also mix with other substances and become more lethal. One prime example of this is smog, which is a mixture of smoke and fog. Smog can sometimes get so thick that it can affect visibility and cause accidents on highways. Smog has been known to persist for months on end in certain areas. A good example of this is the London smog.
Industries use many protective measures against smoke. One of the easiest is building tall chimneys to dispose their smoke at high altitudes. Then there are devices such as bag filters, wet absorbers, settling chambers, ionizers, etc. which can coagulate smoke. The Cottrell precipitator is a device that destroys smoke in factories by allowing it to coagulate to large sizes and then settle down.
Smoke may be visible or invisible. This depends on the size of the particles of the smoke. Invisible smoke is often given out by chemical liquids. The fumes of methyl isocyanide, which killed 3,000 in India during a gas leak, is an example how even invisible smoke can be toxic.
Smoke can also be used constructively. The police use smoke bombs to disperse unruly mobs. Smoke from fumigants is also used for pest control.