Smoked Cigarette Filters Research Articles

Quality variations of leachate resulting from cigarette filter recycling as a challenge for its management

Recycling is known as a solution for cigarette filter management, but this may cause the release of trapped pollutants in it. Cigarette smoke toxins and chemicals that trapped in the cigarette filter can accumulate in the recycling leachate. In this study, littered cigarette filters and freshly smoked cigarette filters were recycled and the resulting leachate was analyzed. The results showed that the minimum and maximum Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the studied leachates were 2100 mg/L and 11,300 mg/L, respectively. The maximum temporal variation in the studied leachate quality was 74.28%, but the maximum spatial variation was 314.2%. COD in the freshly smoked sample was 2600–9200 mg/L more than the littered samples. The average concentration of chromium, lead, nickel, and cadmium in littered samples was 0.023, 0.024, 0.045, and 0.019 mg/L, respectively. Environmental conditions such as humidity, the efficiency of the urban cleaning system in reducing the resistance of littered filters, the difference in the quality of the filter and tobacco, and the difference in smoking behaviors were effective in this variation. Reducing the toxicity of cigarette smoke and improving the efficiency of the urban cleaning system can lead to the same quality, but leachate treatment is necessary to reduce the environmental risk.

Small Butt Harmful: Individual- and Population-Level Impacts of Cigarette Filter Particles on the Deposit-Feeding Polychaete Capitella teleta.

In the marine environment, discarded cigarette filters (CFs) deteriorate and leach filter-associated chemicals. The study aim was to assess the effects of smoked CFs (SCFs) and non-smoked CFs (NCFs) particles on individual life-history traits in the deposit-feeding polychaete Capitella teleta and extrapolate these to possible population-level effects. C. teleta was exposed to sediment-spiked particles of NCFs and SCFs at an environmentally realistic concentration (0.1 mg particles g-1 dw sed) and a 100-fold higher (10 mg particles g-1 dw sed) concentration. Experimental setup incorporated 11 individual endpoints and lasted approximately 6 months. There were significant effects on all endpoints, except from adult body volume and egestion rate, in worms exposed to 10 mg SCF particles g-1 dw sed. Although not statistically significant, there was ≥50% impact on time between reproductive events and number of eggs per female at 0.1 mg SCF particles g-1 dw sed. None of the endpoints was significantly affected by NCFs. Results suggest that SCFs are likely to affect individual life-history traits of C. teleta, whereas the population model suggests that these effects might not transform into population-level effects. The results further indicate that chemicals associated with CFs are the main driver causing the effects rather than the CF particles.

Using the amorphous‑carbon derived from cigarette filters for the fabrication of highly efficient flexible supercapacitors and role of the Sr3.2Y0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10 layered perovskite to enhance their electrochemical performance

Eco-friendly solid-state supercapacitors (SCs) were fabricated using recycled cigarette filters and their electrochemical performance was studied. Firstly, new and smoked cigarette filters were pyrolyzed at 250 °C and obtained an amorphous‑carbon material, which consisted in particles of irregular shape mixed with other ones with folded sheet-like morphology. The amorphous‑carbon was mixed with graphene micro-flakes and it was employed to fabricate the energy storage devices. The flexible SC made with pyrolyzed new filter (PNF) had capacitance and energy density values of 623.4 F g−1 and 55.5 Wh kg−1, respectively, while the SC device made with pyrolyzed used filters (PUF) exhibited a capacitance and energy density of 1124.30 F g−1 and 188.9 Wh kg−1, respectively. The analysis by EDS demonstrated the presence of extra elements such as Ca, K, Mg and P in the PUF (which improved the ionic conductivity and electronic transport on the electrodes), therefore, the devices made with this PUF had 80 % more capacitance than the devices made with PNF. Later, the Sr3.2Y0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10 (SYFECO) layered perovskite was incorporated on the SC electrodes made with PUF and obtained a higher capacitance and energy density of 2051.2 F g−1 and 210.3 Wh kg−1, respectively. Thus, the capacitance was enhanced by 82 % after adding the perovskite to the devices. Moreover, absorbance, Raman and XPS spectra were measured on the SC electrodes containing the SYFECO perovskite and they revealed the presence of oxygen vacancies, Co2+/Co3+ and Fe2+/Fe3+/Fe4+ species. Those ones were responsible for the charge storage by redox reactions. Hence, the results reported here corroborates that using recycled cigarette filters is a viable alternative for the manufacture of efficient SCs for portable/wearable applications.

A Comprehensive Study of Biodegradation of Cigarette Filters and Bidi Butts

Summary Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) by living microbial organisms. With the advancement in analytical techniques, standard methods have been developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), eliminating the ambiguity associated with biodegradation testing for several materials. There is no data available on biodegradation of cigarette filters that follows a standardized and validated ISO method. The objective of this study is to understand the biodegradation of conventional and non-conventional cellulose acetate (CA) Cigarette Filters, Infused Paper Filter (IP), and Combined Material Filter (CMF), Condensed Tobacco End Filter (CTEC) and bidi butts. In this study, cigarettes and bidis were smoked on a smoking machine following the standard ISO 3308 for cigarettes and the standard ISO 17175 for bidis. After smoking, cigarette filters and bidi butts were subjected to biodegradation testing, adopting the standard ISO 14855-1. The study demonstrated 92.1% biodegradation in 151 days for cellulose acetate cigarette filters, 91.9% biodegradation in 97 days for DE-TowTM (Cellulose acetate with additives) filters, 96.2% biodegradation in 86 days for CMF, 93.4% biodegradation in 55 days for paper filters, 92.1% biodegradation in 54 days for bidi butts, and 95.3% biodegradation in 37 days for CTEC filters were recorded. This study provided an unbiased proof that the cigarette filters made of cellulose acetate are biodegradable as per the standard ISO 14855-1. Also, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis was carried out on the smoked cigarette filters of Cellulose acetate, DE-TowTM and CMF as well as their resulting compost to detect any cellulose acetate remaining in the final compost. The GPC analysis indicated cellulose acetate peaks in smoked cigarette filters of cellulose acetate, DE-TowTM and CMF samples, whereas no cellulose acetate peak was observed in resulting compost samples. Hence it is concluded that cellulose acetate is not present in any of the resulting composts of cellulose acetate filters, DE-TowTM filters and CMF samples. It is inferred from the results that cigarette filters and bidi butts chosen for the study have achieved the criteria of more than 90% biodegradation, which is well within the specified criteria of 180 days. This article will be beneficial for entire scientific community, regulators as well as manufacturers in understanding the biodegradability of cigarette filters.

A Low-Cost, High-Throughput Digital Image Analysis of Stain Patterns on Smoked Cigarette Filter Butts to Estimate Mainstream Smoke Exposure.

Standard machine smoking protocols provide useful information for examining the impact of design parameters, such as filter ventilation, on mainstream smoke delivery. Unfortunately, their results do not accurately reflect human smoke exposure. Clinical research and topography devices in human studies yield insights into how products are used, but a clinical setting or smoking a cigarette attached to such a device may alter smoking behavior. To better understand smokers’ use of filtered cigarette products in a more natural environment, we developed a low-cost, high-throughput approach to estimate mainstream cigarette smoke exposure on a per-cigarette basis. This approach uses an inexpensive flatbed scanner to scan smoked cigarette filter butts and custom software to analyze tar-staining patterns. Total luminosity, or optical staining density, of the scanned images provides quantitative information proportional to mainstream smoke-constituent deliveries on a cigarette-by-cigarette basis. Duplicate sample analysis using this new approach and our laboratory’s gold-standard liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) solanesol method yielded comparable results (+7% bias) from the analysis of 20 commercial cigarettes brands (menthol and nonmentholated). The brands varied in design parameters such as length, filter ventilation, and diameter. Plots correlating the luminosity to mainstream smoked-nicotine deliveries on a per-cigarette basis for these cigarette brands were linear (average R2 > 0.91 for nicotine and R2 > 0.83 for the tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK), on a per-brand basis, with linearity ranging from 0.15 to 3.00 mg nicotine/cigarette. Analysis of spent cigarette filters allows exposures to be characterized on a per-cigarette basis or a “daily dose” via summing across results from all filter butts collected over a 24 h period. This scanner method has a 100-fold lower initial capital cost for equipment than the LC/MS/MS solanesol method and provides high-throughput results (~200 samples per day). Thus, this new method is useful for characterizing exposure related to filtered tobacco-product use.

Smoked cigarette butt leachate impacts survival and behaviour of freshwater invertebrates

Smoked cigarette filters a. k.a. “butts”, composed of plastic (e.g. cellulose acetate) are one of the world’s most common litter items. In response to concerns about plastic pollution, biodegradable cellulose filters are being promoted as an environmentally safe alternative, however, once smoked, both contain toxins which can leach once discarded. The impacts of biodegradable butts as littered items on the receiving environment, in comparison with conventional butts has not yet been assessed. A freshwater mesocosm experiment was used to test the effects of leachate from smoked cellulose acetate versus smoked cellulose filters at a range of concentrations (0, 0.2, 1 and 5 butts L−1) on the mortality and behaviour of four freshwater invertebrates (Dreissena polymorpha, Polycelis nigra, Planorbis planorbis and Bithynia tentaculata). Leachate derived from 5 butts L−1 of either type of filter caused 60–100% mortality to all species within 5 days. Leachate derived from 1 butt L−1 of either type resulted in adults being less active than those exposed to no or 0.2 butts L−1 leachate. Cigarette butts, therefore, regardless of their perceived degradability can cause mortality and decreased activity of key freshwater invertebrates and should always be disposed of responsibly.

Impact of cigarette butts on microbial diversity and dissolved trace metals in coastal marine sediment

Cigarette butts are the most common plastic form of litter found in the marine coast, threatening the quality of the seawater and marine life. However, the impact of cigarette butts known to contain toxic chemicals has been investigated to date in very few marine species. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cigarette filters (smoked or unsmoked) on the microbial diversity inhabiting coastal sediments by high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes. Both bacterial structure and metals distribution were impacted by cigarette filter addition in laboratory sediment experiments, compared to control sediment incubations without filter. Both smoked and unsmoked cigarette filters decreased pH and dissolved Cd, Mo and V concentrations in marine sediment incubations, while they increased dissolved Fe, Mn, Zn levels in the surrounding environment. Smoked filters dramatically decreased the relative abundance of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria, while the members of the phyla Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes and Thermotogae were enriched by smoked filters in marine sediments. Bacterial taxa associated with deep marine environments or hydrothermal seep fields were selected by smoked cigarette filters. This study demonstrated for the first time the microbial community changes and impacts from toxic cigarette filters in coastal marine sediments.

Preparation and utilization of cigarette filters based activated carbon for removal CIP and SDS from aqueous solutions

The smoked cigarette filters were used to prepare high-surface-area activated carbons by KOH activation. The highest BET specific surface area of cigarette-filters-based activated carbon (CFAC) was 2726 m2·g−1 obtained at the activation parameter of carbonized materials/KOH = 1:5 and activation temperature of 900 °C, which could concluded that smoked cigarette filters were excellent raw materials for preparation activated carbons. The ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Sodium dodecyl sulfat (SDS) adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and adsorption thermodynamics from aqueous solution using cigarette filters based activated carbon were investigated. The results indicated that Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order models were suitable to describe the CIP and SDS adsorption process of CFAC. More negative standard free energy (ΔG) and positive entropy change (ΔS) of CIP adsorption with increasing temperature indicated the spontaneous nature and increasing randomness of the CIP adsorption process. While More positive ΔG and negative ΔS of SDS adsorption indicated the non-spontaneous processes. The both positive enthalpy change (ΔH) indicated endothermic of CIP and SDS adsorption process.

Hydrothermal synthesis of novel nickel oxide@nitrogenous mesoporous carbon nanocomposite using costless smoked cigarette filter for high performance supercapacitor

Novel nickel oxide@nitrogenous mesoporous carbon (NiOx@NMC) nanocomposite (NC) has been synthesized from the hydrothermal method using costless smoked cigarette filter as a source of nitrogenous carbon. The prepared NiOx@NMC-NC shows high surface area (~1843 m2/g) with excellent mesoporous (~12 nm) nature. The NiOx@NMC-NC exhibits brilliant electrochemical performance in super-capacitors and stability up to 4000 segments. The specific capacitance of NiOx@NMC-NC was found to be ~740 F/g at 1 A/g in 6 M KOH.

Influence of laboratory and waste grade cellulose acetate on photo and electrocatalytic properties of NbCxOy/C and NbC/C nanocomposites

Transition metal carbides (TMCs) have emerged as excellent catalyst support for fuel cell applications. They can also be employed as supercapacitors and for efficient fuel production (H2). Recently, TMCs are being explored as photocatalysts due to the similar electronic configuration as that of the noble metals (Pt, Pd, etc.). But, non-availability of semi-conducting characteristics in TMCs hinders the generation of excitons required for the photo-oxidation of organic pollutants. In this work, niobium carbide/carbon (NbC/C) nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized at relatively low temperature (700 and 800 °C) using cellulose acetate (CA). CA was taken as carbon source to compare the catalytic behavior with the NbC/C nanocomposites obtained with smoked cigarette filters in which cellulose acetate is the main component. In-situ formation of disordered graphitic carbon (g-C) has been observed along with NbCx nanoparticles inducing optically active sites (NbCxOy or NbOz) and resulting in 45.8% photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under household CFL illumination. It has been observed that variation in specific surface area, pore volume and lattice composition (C/Nb ratio) controls the photo- as well as electrocatalytic performance of synthesized NbC/C nanocomposite samples. Higher pore volume and in-lattice carbon leads to higher electrochemical specific surface area and an enhanced electrochemical current density. Further, higher specific surface area and 2D g-C exhibited efficient charge transfer responsible for significant hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with lower Tafel slope (110.91 mV/dec) and higher current density (4.77 mA/cm2).

Turning toxic cigarette butt waste into the sensor material for the sensitive determination of antihypertensive drug trandolapril from its dosage form and biological samples

The findings of this study revealed that hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of filter parts of smoked cigarette butts generates carbonaceous materials that have porosity and high surface area (1012 m2 g−1). This method is relatively eco-friendly because it performed in closed system and under mild conditions. In this study, porous carbon obtained from HTC of smoked cigarette filters was applied in an electroanalytical drug analysis. The surface morphology and chemical structure of the as-prepared materials were illuminated using with different techniques. The voltammetric behavior of antihypertensive drug trandolapril (TRD) was investigated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) that modified by cigarette filter derived char/Nitrogen doped carbon spheres (c-char/NCS). The electrooxidation of TRD was demonstrated a diffusion-controlled fashion at pH 3.0 phosphate buffer (PB) solution. The calibration curve was linear between 8 × 10−8 and 8 × 10-5 M. The detection limit (LOD) was obtained as 1.09 × 10-10 M in pH 3.0 PB solution and 2.57 × 10−8 M in human serum samples by DPV. We try to show that the novel electrochemical sensor was easily applied for the determination of TRD using various carbon structures produced from urea and filter parts of cigarette butts.

Bioaccumulation and biological effects of cigarette litter in marine worms.

Marine debris is a global environmental issue. Smoked cigarette filters are the predominant coastal litter item; 4.5 trillion are littered annually, presenting a source of bioplastic microfibres (cellulose acetate) and harmful toxicants to marine environments. Despite the human health risks associated with smoking, little is known of the hazards cigarette filters present to marine life. Here we studied the impacts of smoked cigarette filter toxicants and microfibres on the polychaete worm Hediste diversicolor (ragworm), a widespread inhabitant of coastal sediments. Ragworms exposed to smoked cigarette filter toxicants in seawater at concentrations 60 fold lower than those reported for urban run-off exhibited significantly longer burrowing times, >30% weight loss, and >2-fold increase in DNA damage compared to ragworms maintained in control conditions. In contrast, ragworms exposed to smoked cigarette filter microfibres in marine sediment showed no significant effects. Bioconcentration factors for nicotine were 500 fold higher from seawater than from sediment. Our results illustrate the vulnerability of organisms in the water column to smoking debris and associated toxicants, and highlight the risks posed by smoked cigarette filter debris to aquatic life.

Changes in Biomarkers of Exposure and Subjective Effects When Smokers Switch to Dual Use of Cigarettes and Either Snus or a Dissolvable Tobacco Product: A Summary of Three Clinical Studies

SUMMARY A series of ambulatory clinical studies were conducted to evaluate changes in biomarkers of tobacco exposure and subjective product ratings when adult smokers switched to dual use of cigarettes with Camel Strips (Strips), Camel Sticks (Sticks), or Camel (SNUS). In all studies, subjects smoked ad libitum for one week (baseline). In incremental stages over three subsequent weeks, subjects were instructed to reduce cigarettes per day (CPD) by at least 75% and include use of one type of smokeless tobacco product (STP). Product use data was recorded by subjects daily, questionnaires were administered and smoked cigarette filters and used snus pouches were collected weekly, and 24-hour urine samples were collected at baseline and the end of dual use for measurement of biomarkers of tobacco exposure. In total, 100 subjects were enrolled, and 88 completed the studies. At the end of dual use, mean CPD reductions of approximately 60% were reported in all studies. Median levels of biomarkers of 4-(methylnitrosamino)- 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and acrolein either did not statistically significantly change or showed statistically significant decreases in all studies. Serum and urinary nicotine biomarkers did not significantly change. Twentyfive additional biomarkers were measured only in the SNUS study. Of those, 18 biomarkers statistically significantly decreased 12.4-35.7%. No statistically significant increases in biomarker levels were observed in any of the studies. Decreases in some biomarkers confirmed that smoking reductions occurred but were less than the reported CPD reductions. Mouth-level exposure estimates suggest subjects did not significantly alter their puffing behavior to compensate for decreased CPD. Acceptability ratings of cigarettes decreased significantly during dual use, while ratings of Strips and SNUS increased, suggesting that the change in use behavior affected subjects’ perceptions of the products. Results from these studies suggest that smokers who switch to dual use with either dissolvable tobacco or snus will likely not increase tobacco constituent exposure and may reduce exposure to some tobacco toxicants, especially those associated with combustion.

Magnitudes of biomarker reductions in response to controlled reductions in cigarettes smoked per day: A one-week clinical confinement study

Tobacco toxicant-related exposure reduction is an important tool in harm reduction. Cigarette per day reduction (CPDR) occurs as smokers migrate from smoking cigarettes to using alternative tobacco/nicotine products, or quit smoking. Few reports characterize the dose–response relationships between CPDR and effects on exposure biomarkers, especially at the low end of CPD exposure (e.g., 5 CPD). We present data on CPDR by characterizing magnitudes of biomarker reductions. We present data from a well-controlled, one-week clinical confinement study in healthy smokers who were switched from smoking 19–25 CPD to smoking 20, 10, 5 or 0 CPD. Biomarkers were measured in blood, plasma, urine, and breath, and included smoke-related toxicants, urine mutagenicity, smoked cigarette filter analyses (mouth level exposure), and vital signs. Many of the biomarkers (e.g., plasma nicotine) showed strong CPDR dose–response reductions, while others (e.g., plasma thiocyanate) showed weaker dose–response reductions. Factors that lead to lower biomarker reductions include non-CPD related contributors to the measured response (e.g., other exposure sources from environment, life style, occupation; inter-individual variability). This study confirms CPDR dose-responsive biomarkers and suggests that a one-week design is appropriate for characterizing exposure reductions when smokers switch from cigarettes to new tobacco products.

Magnitudes of biomarker reductions in response to controlled reductions in cigarettes smoked per day: A one-week clinical confinement study

Tobacco toxicant-related exposure reduction is an important tool in harm reduction. Cigarette per day reduction (CPDR) occurs as smokers migrate from smoking cigarettes to using alternative tobacco/nicotine products, or quit smoking. Few reports characterize the dose-response relationships between CPDR and effects on exposure biomarkers, especially at the low end of CPD exposure (e.g., 5 CPD). We present data on CPDR by characterizing magnitudes of biomarker reductions. We present data from a well-controlled, one-week clinical confinement study in healthy smokers who were switched from smoking 19-25 CPD to smoking 20, 10, 5 or 0 CPD. Biomarkers were measured in blood, plasma, urine, and breath, and included smoke-related toxicants, urine mutagenicity, smoked cigarette filter analyses (mouth level exposure), and vital signs. Many of the biomarkers (e.g., plasma nicotine) showed strong CPDR dose-response reductions, while others (e.g., plasma thiocyanate) showed weaker dose-response reductions. Factors that lead to lower biomarker reductions include non-CPD related contributors to the measured response (e.g., other exposure sources from environment, life style, occupation; inter-individual variability). This study confirms CPDR dose-responsive biomarkers and suggests that a one-week design is appropriate for characterizing exposure reductions when smokers switch from cigarettes to new tobacco products.

Novel method to analysis benzo[a]pyrene in filter by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: Application to assess mouth level benzo[a]pyrene exposure

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a well-known carcinogenic compound produced from incomplete combustion of organic compounds. During cigarette smoking, cigarette filters trap a portion of mainstream smoke B[a]P and accurate measurement of B[a]P levels in cigarette filter can be used to estimate human exposure level of this compound. A rapid and sensitive method to quantify B[a]P levels trapped by cigarette filter was developed. The method is based on liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/APPI-MS/MS). Validation was provided in smoked cigarette filter. The method involved no extensive manual cleanup and concentration steps, hence is easy to use. The limit of detection was 0.064 ng/mL. The recovery ranged from 82.68% to 103.27% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 7%. A regression model between mainstream cigarette smoke and trapped B[a]P by cigarette filter was established (y = 2.5089x - 0.1851, R(2) = 0.999, n = 6). This model was applied to estimate mouth-level B[a]P exposure of smokers. The LC/APPI-MS/MS method developed in this work had an excellent throughput in estimating the mouth-level exposure under natural human smoking conditions. Mouth-level B[a]P exposure based on a study of three cigarettes (8, 10 and 13 mg tar levels) showed significant positive correlations with B[a]P trapped by cigarette filter measured (y = 2.5456x - 0.5056, R(2) = 1, n = 249).

Toxicity of cigarette butts, and their chemical components, to marine and freshwater fish

BackgroundCigarette butts are the most common form of litter, as an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are thrown away every year worldwide. Many chemical products are used during the course...

Quantification of four tobacco-specific nitrosamines in cigarette filter tips using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA) have been suggested by some scientists to play an important role in tobacco smoke carcinogenesis. We have developed and validated an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of TSNA, notably N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB), N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), extracted from smoked cigarette filter tips. Reporting limits of 0.44, 0.89, 0.91 and 0.91ng mL−1 for NAB, NAT, NNK and NNN respectively were achieved. The newly developed method may find application in the filter analysis methodology for estimating the mouth-level exposure to NAB, NAT, NNK and NNN for cigarette smokers. TSNA levels were determined in mainstream smoke collected on industry standard Cambridge Filter Pads following smoking on a smoking machine. TSNA yields were compared with TSNA levels extracted from cigarette filter tips. However, the observation of the progressive post-smoking accumulation of TSNA during ambient storage of smoked cigarette filter tips potentially compromises use of this technique as an estimate of mouth-level exposure. Storage of smoked cigarette filter tips at sub-ambient temperatures reduced substantially the post-smoking synthesis of TSNA.

Microscopical examination of particles on smoked cigarette filters

Cigarette butts collected from crime scenes can play an important role in forensic investigations by providing a DNA link to a victim or suspect. Microscopic particles can frequently be seen on smoked cigarette filters with stereomicroscopy. The authors are not aware of previous published attempts to identify this material. These particles were examined with transmission and scanning electron microscopy and were found to consist of two types of superficial epithelial tissue, consistent with two areas of the lip surface. The particles were often composed of several layers of non-nucleated and nucleated epithelium with the former being the most common. It was further determined that both of these cell types are easily transferred from the lip. The results of this study indicate that the most visible source of DNA obtained from cigarette butts and other objects in contact with the lip may be lip epithelial tissue.

Analysis of Benz[C]acridines in Cigarette Smoke by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract A method has been developed for the analysis of mutagenic and carcinogenic benz[c]acridines (BAcs) in cigarette smoke condensates on filter tips. The BAcs were extracted from cigarette filter tips with chlorobenzene in a Soxhlet apparatus, purified by liquid-liquid partition and column chromatography, and then analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorescence detection. Recoveries of BAcs spiked at 0.5 ng/tip were 81.2-90.4%, and the limit of detection was found to be 5 pg. Typically, smoked cigarette filter tips were found to contain the known carcinogens benz[c]acridine and 9-methylbenz[c]acridine. The identification of peaks in each sample chromatogram was confirmed by comparing the retention times and the fluorescence spectra with its standard respectively.