Foreign Contaminants in Tobacco

[aaronsharp]

I recently found a strip of a black rubber-like material in a ton of Orlik Golden Flake. It was about two inches long and the same dimensions of the strands of tobacco that it was flaked with. Obviously was introduced early in production and made it all the way through. I also smoked a tiny bit of it, I now realize. Any similar experiences? How did this get in there?

-Aaron

 

[cortezattic]

Hi, Aaron! Welcome to the forums. :clap:

It's probably a good idea to inspect what you're putting in the bowl.

Sounds like the contaminant got layered-in with the leaf before pressing and slicing.

It's happened before: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/strange-item-in-my-new-tin-of-larrys-blend

 

[jndyer]

The worst I have found in my tobacco is a long tobacco stem; however, due to the nature in which tobacco is harvested and processed I guess from time to time strange items could make their way into our smoking mixtures.
It would be interesting to hear from those who work on the manufacturing side as I would not be surprised that they have seen some even stranger items intermixed with the raw leaf.

 

[ben88]

Once found a piece of rope, about 1/4" thick, pressed into the "brick" of Pirate Kake.

 

[mso489]

I'm sorry to say there are permissible levels of rat droppings in peanut butter. I doubt the regs are worded that way, but stuff happens, and sometimes it ends up in our food and pipe tobacco. Equally troubling are undetectable materials that might include pesticide, varnish or motor oil, and other such things, which are bad enough in themselves but create all kinds of exotic chemicals, possibly dozens of them, when burnt. So use your nose, eyes, and taste buds, and if something isn't right, it may be wise not to smoke it. The mammalian body, including our own, is capable of handling all kinds of unintended substances and does so over decades for most adults. Just be alert and don't press your luck, would be my advice.

 

[sumusfumus]

I cringe at the thought of what's gone into my mouth over my many years. Living in NYC "The Big Cesspool" all my life, I can only guess at what passed by my tonsils. When I was a boy, the "5 second rule" was alive and well in my world. But, I'm still here.
Finding rubber and ropes in pipe tobacco, annoying. Finding a mouse/roach in your Big Mac, not so good. It's all relative.
Frank

 

[jitterbugdude]

I once found a small strip of tobacco in a tin of Mixture 79

 

[cortezattic]

:rofl:

 

[agnosticpipe]

I know that many view Lakeland essence a contaminant in tobacco. :mrgreen:

I thankfully have only found the stray stem or two in my experience.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Every now and then I'll find a dog hair. It's unavoidable with a husky in the house

 

[woodsroad]

I once shot an elephant in my pajamas, but that's a different story.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I'd have shot him too. He had no right to be in your pajamas.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Is that a metaphor for something unseemly??

 

[warren]

I tend to trust the blenders. I'm sure the wee piece of rubber wouldn't be in there if the blender hadn't thought it would bring something positive to the room note.

 

[nukesimi]

I once found a nice chunk of netting in a tine of Squadron Leader. I smoked it anyway.

 

[jon11]

I found a wooden block in my McClelland Stave Aged 35

 

[mcitinner1]

^^^ Hey it must be a coincidence. I had the same thing happen. :mrgreen:

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I found a wooden block in my McClelland Stave Aged 35"
That would explain the 'woodsy' taste perhaps?
Regards,
Jay.

 

[deathmetal]

Let us know when you find something interesting, like an embalmed toe.