Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cigarettes and Cigarette Smoke

Haruki Shimazu

doi:10.5539/ep.v5n2p15

Abstract

The present study examines the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cigarettes and sidestream cigarette smoke. Nine PAHs were determined in sidestream cigarette smokes for five types of cigarettes. The volume of the experimental room is approximately 66 m3. The air samples in the room were collected before and after smoking. The total PAH concentrations were approximately 1.0 ng/m3 before smoking, but the median concentration and the range of PAHs were 29.1 ng/m3 and from 7.62 to 57.6 ng/m3 after smoking. The relationship between suspended particulate matter (SPM) and total PAHs after smoking is significant and proportional. This may indicate that the SPM formation is associated with PAH formation during smoking. Furthermore, nine PAHs were determined in the cigarettes. Median PAH contents in the five brands of cigarettes ranged from 221 to 936 ng per cigarette before smoking and from 66.9 to 266 ng per cigarette after smoking. Mean PAH emissions from cigarettes while smoking ranged from 257 to 1490 ng per cigarette. The results show that PAHs in the cigarettes, and those generated during smoking, were emitted into the air.

Highlights

Exposure to cigarette smoke creates significant risks for developing cancers and a variety of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (OEHHA 2005)
The present study examines the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cigarettes and sidestream cigarette smoke
The results show that PAHs in the cigarettes, and those generated during smoking, were emitted into the air

Summary

Introduction

Exposure to cigarette smoke creates significant risks for developing cancers and a variety of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (OEHHA 2005). Smoking has been recognized as a major cause of lung cancer (Lee et al 2001; IARC 2004). Benzo[a]pyrene is a PAH that has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (IARC 2016). Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, dibenz[a,j]acridine, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene have been classified as Group 2A carcinogens (probably carcinogenic to humans). Many PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[b]fluoranthene, are considered to be mutagenic (Luch 2005). Because of their adverse effects some countries have regulated PAHs. For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has designated many PAHs in the Toxic Pollutant List and Priority Pollutant List under the Clean Water Act (USEPA 2016). Anthracene is included in the European Commission’s REACH Candidate List (ECHA 2016)

Methods

Results

Conclusion