Colour properties of cigarette smoke-exposed cotton and silk fabrics and their nicotine release

Abstract

Exposure to cigarette smoke caused colour change to undyed cotton and silk fabrics by a yellowing effect. The degree of yellowing was more dominant on cotton fabric. When the dyed fabrics were subjected to cigarette smoke, a more pronounced effect was observed on the pale shade dyed fabrics. Shade alteration was inversely related to the colour strength of the dyed fabrics. In addition, a longer exposure time also induced colour change in the fabrics while the colour strength of the dyed fabrics was unaffected. Nicotine release from the cigarette smoke-exposed fabrics in the wet state was studied in different aqueous media, viz. water, buffer solutions (pH 5.5 and 8.0) and artificial sweats (acid and alkaline) in order to reflect the potential risk to textile users of the toxicants from textiles contaminated with cigarette smoke.