Determination of markers of particulate matter in environmental tobacco smoke

Abstract

Background/Purpose. To establish a suitable analytical method for measuring surrogate markers of particulate matter in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in different public areas. Methods. The analytical procedures used in this study were based on those described by Ogden (1996). In brief, the optimum absorbance wavelengths of three particulate markers (UVPM, FPM and SolPM) were determined using an HPLC-photodiol detector. Air samples were taken from several public areas (pubs, offices, Internet cafes, and nightclubs) using PTFE filters joined to XAD-4 adsorbent. The concentrations of each particulate marker and the concentration of nicotine in the air samples were then measured. Results. The results showed that there was good recovery and reproducibility in determination of each of the three particulate markers in ETS. The detection limits for the three markers were 6.9 ng for UVPM, 53.3 ng for FPM and 11.6 ng for SolPM. The highest levels of nicotine (26.7 µg/m^3) and UVPM (12.46 µg/m^3) were in pubs, and the lowest levels of nicotine and UVPM were in nonsmoking offices (1.99 µg/m^3 and 0.10 µg/m^3, respectively). There was a high fluctuation in the levels of the three particulates and in the level of nicotine within and between the different public areas. SolPM was only detected in pubs (9.64 µg/m^3) but was not detected in other public areas. Conclusion. There was good linear correlation and reproducibility in determination for the three particulate markers in ETS. The analytical method used in this study was simple, quick and effective for simultaneously measuring UVPM, FPM and SolPM in ETS.