Tobacco, Cigarettes and Cigarette Smoke - An Overview

This technical note provides an overview of the origin and mode of treatment of tobacco, tobacco ingredients and pesticide residues found in tobacco leaves. This note also reports on experiments carried out at the JRC-IHCP related to the chemistry of tobacco constituents and it gives information on analytical methodologies used for measuring tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide.JRC.I.5-Physical and chemical exposure

Lung-deposited surface area concentration measurements in selected occupational and non-occupational environments

AbstractPrevious experimental and epidemiologic studies suggested that exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) may result in adverse health effects. Metrics such as the number-concentration and especially the surface-area or lung-deposited surface area (LDSA) appear to be appropriate metrics of dose for predicting pulmonary inflammation of insoluble and poorly soluble ultrafine particles. Currently not much data including LDSA concentrations is available. The aim of this study was therefore to measure LDSA concentrations in a variety of occupational and non-occupational environments as well as in chamber tests. To this end, novel handheld online-monitors were deployed and evaluated for their suitability to be used in a variety of micro-environments and under different conditions. Chamber emissions tests included incense and candle burning, 3D printing and cigarette/e-cigarette smoking. The LDSA concentration was measured in occupational environments such as a canteen kitchen, a welding workshop and in a car. Measurements were also conducted in a private house with a wood-burning stove and with ongoing parallel cooking activities. Depending on the type of micro-environment, the ongoing activities or the material investigated in the chamber-tests, large differences were observed in terms of measured LDSA concentrations, some exceeding up to 1000 times that of the baseline concentration detected before activities initiated. In some of the investigated environments LDSA concentrations were measured for the first time. The data might therefore serve as reference for future studies. The handheld instrument used to measure this data worked well both for stationary measurements as well as for personal monitoring and proved to be an alternative to bulkier benchtop instruments

Characterisation of mainstream and passive vapours emitted by selected electronic cigarettes

AbstractElectronic cigarettes have achieved growing popularity since their introduction onto the European market. They are promoted by manufacturers as healthier alternatives to tobacco cigarettes, however debate among scientists and public health experts about their possible impact on health and indoor air quality means further research into the product is required to ensure decisions of policymakers, health care providers and consumers are based on sound science. This study investigated and characterised the impact of ‘vaping’ (using electronic cigarettes) on indoor environments under controlled conditions using a 30m3 emission chamber. The study determined the composition of e-cigarette mainstream vapour in terms of propylene glycol, glycerol, carbonyls and nicotine emissions using a smoking machine with adapted smoking parameters. Two different base recipes for refill liquids, with three different amounts of nicotine each, were tested using two models of e-cigarettes. Refill liquids were analysed on their content of propylene glycol, glycerol, nicotine and qualitatively on their principal flavourings. Possible health effects of e-cigarette use are not discussed in this work. Electronic cigarettes tested in this study proved to be sources for propylene glycol, glycerol, nicotine, carbonyls and aerosol particulates. The extent of exposure differs significantly for active and passive ‘vapers’ (users of electronic cigarettes). Extrapolating from the average amounts of propylene glycol and glycerol condensed on the smoking machine filter pad to the resulting lung-concentration, estimated lung concentrations of 160 and 220mgm−3 for propylene glycol and glycerol were obtained, respectively. Vaping refill liquids with nicotine concentrations of 9mgmL−1 led to vapour condensate nicotine amounts comparable to those of low-nicotine regular cigarettes (0.15–0.2mg). In chamber studies, peak concentrations of 2200μgm−3 for propylene glycol, 136μgm−3 for glycerol and 0.6μgm−3 for nicotine were reached. Carbonyls were not detected above the detection limits in chamber studies. Particles in the size range of 20nm to 300nm constantly increased during vaping activity and reached final peak concentrations of 7×106particlesL−1. Moreover, the tested products showed design flaws such as leakages from the cartridge reservoirs. Possible long term effects of e-cigarettes on health are not yet known. E-cigarettes, the impact of vaping on health and the composition of refill liquids require therefore further research into the product characteristics. The consumers would benefit from harmonised quality and safety improvements of e-cigarettes and refill liquids

Manual for Polysulphone Dosimeters Characterisation, Handling and Application as Personal UV Exposure Devices

Abstract not availableJRC.I-Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (Ispra

Multimethod approach for the detection and characterisation of food-grade synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles

AbstractSynthetic amorphous silica (SAS) has been used as food additive under the code E551 for decades and the agrifood sector is considered a main exposure vector for humans and environment. However, there is still a lack of detailed methodologies for the determination of SAS’ particle size and concentration. This work presents the detection and characterization of NPs in eleven different food-grade SAS samples, following a reasoned and detailed sequential methodology. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Multiangle Light Scattering (MALS), Asymmetric Flow-Field Flow Fractionation (AF4), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used. The suitability and limitations, information derived from each type of analytical technique and implications related to current EC Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers are deeply discussed. In general the z-average, AF4 hydrodynamic diameters and root mean square (rms) radii measured were in good agreement. AF4-ICPMS coupling and pre channel calibration with silica NPs standards allowed the reliable detection of NPs below 100nm for ten of eleven samples (AF4 diameters between 20.6 and 39.8nm) and to quantify the mass concentration in seven different samples (at mgL−1 concentration level). TEM characterisation included the determination of the minimum detectable size and subsequent measurement of the equivalent circle diameter (ECD) of primary particles and small aggregates, which were between 10.3 and 20.3nm. Because of the dynamic size application range is limited by the minimum detectable size, all the techniques in this work can be used only as positive tests

European Parliament Pilot Project on Exposure to Indoor air Chemicals and Possible Health Risks

This report outlines the results of the 2-year pilot project on indoor air quality and potential health effects executed by the Joint Research Centre and funded by the European Parliament via the Directorate-General Health and Consumer Protection. It had four distinct objectives as follows: 1) to identify and quantify the main air pollutants present in public buildings, including indoor environments where children frequently stay, like schools and kindergartens, 2) to identify the main sources of these pollutants, applying source apportionment analyses, 3) to estimate people¿s exposure to these pollutants while working and/or living in these areas and combined with micro-environmental activity patterns during the day, 4) to evaluate possible health risks due to (chronic) exposure to air pollutants, in particular, for children. The results indicate that indoor air pollution concentrations are consistently higher than the respective outdoor ones for the chemical families this study focused on. Differences attributable to variation in consumer behaviour, climate and type of building materials used, have been identified in the indoor:outdoor ratio of primary pollutants across Europe. These differences account for small variance in the corresponding health risk to the local population across the EU.JRC.I.5-Physical and chemical exposure

TiO2@BSA nano-composites investigated through orthogonal multi-techniques characterization platform.

Abstract Biocompatible coating based on bovine serum albumin (BSA) was applied on two different TiO2 nanoparticles (aeroxide P25 and food grade E171) to investigate properties and stability of resulting TiO2@BSA composites, under the final perspective to create a "Safe-by-Design" coating, able to uniform, level off and mitigate surface chemistry related phenomena, as naturally occurring when nano-phases come in touch with proteins enriched biological fluids. The first step towards validating the proposed approach is a detailed characterization of surface chemistry with the quantification of amount and stability of BSA coating deposited on nanoparticles' surfaces. At this purpose, we implemented an orthogonal multi-techniques characterization platform, providing important information on colloidal behavior, particle size distribution and BSA-coating structure of investigated TiO2 systems. Specifically, the proposed orthogonal approach enabled the quantitative determination of bound and free (not adsorbed) BSA, a key aspect for the design of intentionally BSA coated nano-structures, in nanomedicine and, overall, for the control of nano-surface reactivity. In fact, the BSA-coating strategy developed and the orthogonal characterisation performed can be extended to different designed nanomaterials in order to further investigate the protein-corona formation and promote the implementation of BSA engineered coating as a strategy to harmonize the surface reactivity and minimize the biological impact

Migration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from plastic and rubber articles

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a large group of chemically related substances many of which are known carcinogens. To minimise human exposure there are already several pieces of EU legislation which limit their presence in certain food products, as well as in water and ambient air. Under the REACH regulation (EC 1907/2006 Annex XVII, Entry 50), eight priority PAHs have for some time been restricted in extender oils used in tyres. Although not added deliberately to consumer products, PAHs can still be present as impurities. An amendment of the above mentioned legislation (Regulation EU 1272/2013) establishes content limits for the eight PAHs of 0.5 mg kg-1 for plastic and rubber components of toys/childcare articles, and 1 mg kg-1 for all other consumer articles, in direct and prolonged, or short-term repetitive, contact with the skin or oral cavity. In May 2016 DG JRC and DG GROW signed an Administrative Arrangement (AA 34003) known as the STANPAHs project. The main objective of this contract was for the JRC to provide scientific support in the implementation and potential amendment of the restriction on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in particular concerning paragraphs 5 and 6 of entry 50 of Annex XVII to the REACH legislation. The main objectives of the project were: a) to gain a better understanding of the migration behaviour of certain PAHs in plastic and rubber components of articles, and b) to develop a reliable methodology to determine PAH migration from these matrices, under conditions simulating, to the best possible extent, dermal contact (including the oral cavity). This report presents the outcomes of the experimental studies carried out at JRC and the achievements towards fulfilling these objectives. A set of manufactured polymeric plastic and rubber matrices, to be used as test materials in the project, has been chosen based on criteria such as their frequency of use in articles within the scope of the restriction and the likelihood of the presence of high PAH contents (e.g. due to their content in carbon black or extender oils). Various grades and types of ingredients known to be PAH sources were used in the formulation of the manufactured ad-hoc materials. The test materials included low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as plastic matrices, and ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM), natural rubber-butadiene rubber (NR-BR) and silicone as rubber matrices. Moreover, recycled granules (coated and uncoated) originating from end-of-life tyres produced before and after 2010 as well as rubber tiles made of the recycled coated granules were also made available for this study. The content of each of the eight restricted PAHs was measured by using a method developed in-house based on Randall hot extraction, purification by Solid Phase Extraction based on Molecular Imprinted Polymers, and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry determination. A number of experimental studies were undertaken to generate data and information to improve the knowledge on migration of the target PAHs. Migration parameters operated in the STANPAHs project to estimate migration rates were as follows: dynamic mode at 40°C for 24 hours using a variety of migration media including artificial aqueous simulants, modified biosimulants formulations with lipidic content such as skin surface film liquid (SSFL), and 20% ethanol in water. According to scientific literature the use of 20% ethanol as the migration medium proved to correlate well with human skin absorption. Using these conditions, migration of the target PAHs into artificial sweat (EN1811) and artificial saliva (DIN53160-1) was not detected in any of the materials studied. Moreover none of the plastic polymeric materials led to detectable release of the target PAHs in any of the migration media used in this study (i.e. artificial sweat and saliva, skin surface film liquid (SSFL), and 20% ethanol solution). Similarly the tests with silicone materials did not result in detectable migration. Only the rubber matrices containing Distillate Aromatic Extract (DAE) as extender oil showed detectable migration when using 20% ethanol as the migration solution. In addition, the release of PAHs from coated recycled rubber granules was lower than from the uncoated granules suggesting that the coating acts as a barrier to chemical migration. According to industrial partners DAE is not used by European industries for manufacturing of parts of articles intended for skin contact. The materials containing DAE, although not representative for marketed products, have been made available to facilitate migration testing method development. The migration test method using 20% ethanol has been validated in-house and shows good method performance allowing the determination of PAH at trace level. Furthermore it has been considered for an initial inter-laboratory comparison study (ILC) aiming to investigate method applicability and transferability in a variety of laboratories. The within-laboratory precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr), and the between-laboratory precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) were assessed. In general the RSDR ranged from 28 to 113% and the RSDr from 7 to 23%. It is worth remembering that the level of PAH migration was very close to the quantification limit of the method and therefore this variability can be expected. Similar values have been reported in a recent German study with the participation of 9 laboratories on the migration of PAHs from rubber materials in contact with aqueous ethanol. The fact that better values of RSDr and RSDR were obtained for chrysene and benzo(e)pyrene that had the highest concentrations in the final migration solutions and that the analysis of the control solution used in this exercise showed a good reproducibility (RSDR% <10%), shows the possibility to reduce the variability between laboratories with a revised operating procedure in terms of injection volume and/or elution volume. In conclusion this report makes available new data and scientific information on the migration behaviour of certain PAHs from selected plastic and rubber polymeric matrices, in support of the European Commission's legal obligation to review the PAHs restriction under REACH. Standard operating procedures for quantification of the content of each of the eight restricted PAHs as well as their migration into 20% ethanol have been developed. Moreover the information gathered in STANPAHs (e.g. literature search), the ad-hoc manufactured materials still available, as well as the JRC in-house analysis method for PAH content could be of great benefit to accelerate the work towards standardisation of PAH content analysis in consumer products that has been recently undertaken by the European Standardisation Committee following a request by DG GROW.JRC.F.2-Consumer Products Safet

Harmonisation framework for health based evaluation of indoor emissions from construction products in the European Union using the EU-LCI concept

This report describes a harmonised procedure for establishing a list of compounds and their associated LCI (Lowest Concentration of Interest) values for the evaluation of emissions from construction products taking into account existing procedures used in some Member States (i.e. ANSES in France and AgBB in Germany). It provides an appropriate health‐protective, science-based and transparent yet pragmatic approach with a flexible framework that enables review of the procedure to take into account new knowledge (e.g. data resulting from the REACH implementation process) for future revision of the EU-LCI master list in terms of both the compounds listed and their EU-LCI values.JRC.I.1-Chemical Assessment and Testin

Determination of Nicotine in Smoke Condensate by Ion Chromatography Coupled to Ultraviolet Detection

See attachedJRC.I.5-Physical and chemical exposure