IOM: Analytical News - Issue 3
Analysis of products of smoking
With the forthcoming ban of smoking in public places in Scotland coming into force on 26th March and with legislation imminent in England and Wales, the exposure of workers and individuals to tobacco smoke has become an emotive issue. We can provide help in the measurement of how much tobacco smoke is present in air in order to assess the potential impact of the differing legislative packages being considered in the UK.
The IOM laboratory is able to undertake analysis for nicotine and/or 3-ethenylpyridine (or 3-EP), which is a vapour phase compound specific to tobacco smoke that has been proposed as a suitable indicator of environmental tobacco smoke. It has a number of advantages over other markers: it is tobacco specific, is present solely in the vapour phase, has a greater stability than nicotine in ultraviolet light, shows a linear concentration increase with the number of cigarettes smoked, and concentrations correlate well with those of other vapour phase components of environmental tobacco smoke.
Nicotine can be collected on XAD-4 tubes and 3-EP can be collected on passive diffusion organic vapour monitors. Both these analytes are quantified using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
The analysis of nicotine by GC/MS can be undertaken at a cost of £30 per sample.
The analysis of 3-EP by GC/MS can be undertaken at a cost of £30 per sample.
A minimum charge is applicable for both analyses of £120.
Discounted rates are available for larger orders. Please contact Neil Gatward or Carolyn McGonagle on 0131 449 8067.
Email: carolyn.mcgonagle@iom-world.org
We are currently collaborating with other researchers to assess the impact of the change in smoking regulation in Scotland, particularly on the health of bar workers.
IOM is also able to provide assistance with sampling and provide advice about strategies to minimise environmental tobacco smoke (in England and Wales). Contact Craig Lewis for further information.
Email: craig.lewis@iom-world.org
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