Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nicotine, metals content and particle size distribution of mainstream shisha smoke?

Authors:
Andrew Apsley, Karen S Galea and Araceli Sanchez Jimenez

Presenter:
Araceli Sanchez-Jimenez
Research Scientist, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK

Abstract
There is a widespread but unsubstantiated belief that smoking shisha products is relatively safe. This study aimed to characterise the smoke composition of three popular shisha smoking products (two tobacco and one herbal tobacco-free). A smoking machine generated smoke in a series of controlled conditions, each session lasting 30 minutes using 10g shisha product. The concentrations of a range of chemicals were measured, with the results being presented as total yield per smoking session.

Metal content of the mainstream smoke from all three products was found to be close to the limit of detection (LOD) of the analytical method used, with the main exceptions found for copper (total yield ranging from 1.3 – 2.3 µg) and zinc (yield ranged from 1.1 – 2.1 µg). Nicotine yields for the two tobacco containing mixtures averaged 316 and 339 µg per smoking session. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected for all three shisha products, although yields were generally less than the LOD of the analytical method used. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the mainstream smoke ranged from 800 to 1000 ppm, suggesting a typical CO yield of 30 mg per smoking session. The median particle size was 100 nm.

Variations in the results obtained from this and other studies indicate test method harmonisation is required. This study helps provide information for a hazard analysis investigating the hazards to health posed to pregnant women and their unborn child from smoking shisha products.

Source of funding: Funding was provided by the DH West Midlands, Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust (HOBtPCT) and NHS Walsall.

Declaration of interest: none

About the presenter
Araceli Sanchez-Jimenez is a Research Scientist within the Exposure Assessment Division at the Institute of Occupational Medicine. Her background is in Environmental Chemistry with an extensive experience in monitoring of air pollutants. She is involved in a variety of Environmental and Occupational Health projects. Recent work involves exposure assessment of smoke from the combustion of solid fuels and environmental tobacco smoke in indoor environments, and occupational studies on exposure to oil mist and vapour, formaldehyde, mineral fibres, manganese compounds and nanoparticles. She enjoys travelling although guilt about her carbon foot print has lead her to know very well the Scottish countryside over the last years.