Influence of MCT-β-cyclodextrin treatment on strength, reactive dyeing and third-hand cigarette smoke odor release properties of cotton fabric

Abstract

The concept of third-hand cigarette smoke is a newly-emerging field of interest in public health. Release of second-hand smoke chemicals on the textile surface as a third-hand smoke to the surrounding environment is a malodorous release of hazardous chemicals to health. In this study, the influence of MCT-β-cyclodextrin treatments on not only the third-hand cigarette smoke odor release property but also on the mechanical and dyeing performances of cotton fabric was investigated. MCT-β-cyclodextrin treatments increased the stiffness and tensile strength of cotton fabric. The presence of MCT-β-cyclodextrin on cotton fabric did not significantly affect the dyeing properties and caused no profound effects on the obtained color strength levels on fabrics dyed with Drimarene reactive dyes. MCT-β-cyclodextrin treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the third-hand smoke odor release intensity from the smoke-contaminated cotton, for both dyed and undyed fabrics. The reactive dyes resulted in a positive influence on the third-hand smoke odor release intensity. MCT-β-cyclodextrin presence on the dyed fabric enabled a significant decrease in odor and produced a masking effect with an odor release reduction of up to 65.5%. Inclusion complex between the β-cyclodextrin rings and the volatile organic compounds of the cigarette smoke is believed to be a smoke odor chemical trapping mechanism. MCT-β-cyclodextrin treatment effectively masks chemical malodors from second-hand cigarette smoke and lessens the third-hand smoke odor chemical release onto cotton fabric. Therefore, MCT-β-cyclodextrin treatment may lessen the potential health hazards of third-hand smoke released from the contaminated textile surfaces. This is promising and encouraging for odor emission control and third-hand smoke release problems for smoke-exposed textile products.