Brand cigarillos--a cheap and less harmful alternative to cigarettes? Particulate matter emissions suggest otherwise

Aerosol exposure of staff during dental treatments: a model study

Background

Due to exposure to potentially infectious aerosols during treatments, the dental personnel is considered being at high risk for aerosol transmitted diseases like COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate aerosol exposure during different dental treatments as well as the efficacy of dental suction to reduce aerosol spreading.

Methods

Dental powder-jet (PJ; Air-Flow^®), a water-cooled dental handpiece with a diamond bur (HP) and water-cooled ultrasonic scaling (US) were used in a simulation head, mounted on a dental unit in various treatment settings. The influence of the use of a small saliva ejector (SE) and high-volume suction (HVS) was evaluated. As a proxy of aerosols, air-born particles (PM10) were detected using a Laser Spectrometer in 30 cm distance from the mouth. As control, background particle counts (BC) were measured before and after experiments.

Results

With only SE, integrated aerosol levels [median (Q25/Q75) µg/m³ s] for PJ [91,246 (58,213/118,386) µg/m³ s, p < 0.001, ANOVA] were significantly increased compared to BC [7243 (6501/8407) µg/m³ s], whilst HP [11,119 (7190/17,234) µg/m³ s, p > 0.05] and US [6558 (6002/7066) µg/m³ s; p > 0.05] did not increase aerosol levels significantly. The use of HVS significantly decreased aerosol exposure for PJ [37,170 (29,634/51,719) µg/m³ s; p < 0.01] and HP [5476 (5066/5638) µg/m³ s; p < 0.001] compared to SE only, even reaching lower particle counts than BC levels for HP usage (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

To reduce the exposure to potentially infectious aerosols, HVS should be used during aerosol-forming dental treatments.

High particulate matter burden by cigarillos: A laser spectrometric analysis of second-hand smoke of common brands with and without filter

Although the global tobacco market of cigarillos is substantial, little is known about their particulate matter (PM) emissions. For exposure risk assessment of cigarillos, the PM fractions PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 of eight cigarillo brands (four with filters) and a reference cigarette were measured. For this purpose, second-hand smoke was generated by an automatic smoke pump in a measuring chamber with a volume of 2.88 m³. The mean particle concentrations of the cigarillos ranged from 2783 μg/m³ to 6686 μg/m³ for PM10, from 2767 μg/m³ to 6585 μg/m³ for PM2.5, and from 2441 to 4680 μg/m³ for PM1. Mean concentrations of the reference cigarette for PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 4400 μg/m³, 4335 μg/m³, and 3289 μg/m³, respectively. Filter-tipped cigarillos showed between 5% and 38% lower PM10 and PM2.5 levels, respectively, and between 4% and 30% lower PM1 levels. Our findings show generally high PM emissions for all investigated tobacco products. Therefore, the declaration of PM amounts to government authorities should be mandatory for all tobacco products. Policymakers should ensure that corresponding information will be provided in the future.

MicroRNAs and Xenobiotic Toxicity: An Overview

The advent of new technologies has paved the rise of various chemicals that are being employed in industrial as well as consumer products. This leads to the accumulation of these xenobiotic compounds in the environment where they pose a serious threat to both target and non-target species. miRNAs are one of the key epigenetic mechanisms that have been associated with toxicity by modulating the gene expression post-transcriptionally. Here, we provide a comprehensive view on miRNA biogenesis, their mechanism of action and, their possible role in xenobiotic toxicity. Further, we review the recent in vitro and in vivo studies involved in xenobiotic exposure induced miRNA alterations and the mRNA-miRNA interactions. Finally, we address the challenges associated with the miRNAs in toxicological studies.

Particulate Matter Emissions of Four Different Cigarette Types of One Popular Brand: Influence of Tobacco Strength and Additives

The inhalation of particulate matter (PM) in second-hand smoke (SHS) is hazardous to health of smokers and non-smokers. Tobacco strength (amount of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide) and different additives might have an effect on the amount of PM. This study aimed to investigate the influence of tobacco strength or additives on PM. Four cigarette types of the brand Marlboro with different strengths and with or without additives were analyzed in comparison to the 3R4F reference cigarette. SHS was generated by an automatic environmental tobacco smoke emitter (AETSE) in an enclosed space with a volume of 2.88 m³. PM concentrations (PM10, PM2.5, PM₁) were measured with a laser aerosol spectrometer followed by statistical analysis. The two strongest Marlboro brands (Red and Red without additives) showed the highest PM concentrations of all tested cigarettes. The measured mean concentrations Cmean of PM10 increased up to 1458 µg/m³ for the Marlboro Red without additives (PM2.5: 1452 µg/m³, PM₁: 1263 µg/m³). The similarly strong Marlboro Red showed very similar PM values. The second strongest type Marlboro Gold showed 36% (PM10, PM2.5) and 32% (PM₁) lower values, respectively. The "lightest" type Marlboro Silver Blue showed 54% (PM10, PM2.5) or 50% (PM₁) lower PM values. The results indicate that the lower the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide amounts, as well as the longer the cigarette filter, the lower are the PM levels. An influence of additives could not be determined.

Prevalence and characteristics of cigarillo smoking in Canada: results from the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey

OBJECTIVES

Cigarillo smoking has been associated with many adverse outcomes; however, little is known about its use in Canada. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of ever and the current use of cigarillo in Canada.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This study was a secondary data analysis of the 2012 cycle of the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey collected by Statistics Canada, examining tobacco use among Canadians aged 15 years or older in all 10 provinces. The two main outcomes of the present study were 'ever use' and 'current use' of cigarillos. Covariates examined included the following: demographic factors, socio-economic factors, and smoking-related factors.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of ever and current cigarillo smoking were 38.4% and 3.1%, respectively. Factors that had the highest association with cigarillo smoking included being a male and being young. Cigarette and marijuana use were also associated with increased use of cigarillo. Specifically, marijuana users were at two-fold increase of the current cigarillo smoking (odds ratio = 2.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.97-2.41).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of correcting public perception about cigarillos and directing government resources to prevent an increase in their use.

High particulate matter emission from additive-free Natural American Spirit cigarettes

BACKGROUND

Involuntary exposure to health-threatening environmental tobacco smoke (Combined Mainstream and Side-stream Smoke, CMSS) is a worldwide problem, causing premature death of thousands of people. CMSS consists of particulate matter (PM), one of the main sources of indoor air pollution. PM constitutes a considerable health risk for passive smokers. It is important to inform the public about brand-specific differences in CMSS-associated PM, especially in the case of brands without additives, which are therefore promoted as natural and less health-threatening.

METHODS

Mean concentrations and the area under the curve of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 generated by Natural American Spirit cigarettes without additives and the 3R4F standard research cigarette (University of Kentucky, USA) were measured, analyzed and compared with each other. An automatic environmental tobacco smoke emitter was used to smoke 100 cigarettes, 20 of each brand, according to a standardized smoking protocol.

RESULTS

This study could show that CMSS-associated PM released from tobacco brands without additives, which are therefore promoted as natural and less harmful, are higher than expected.

CONCLUSIONS

It is highly improbable that Natural American Spirit tobacco products are a less harmful choice-at least not for passive smokers as this study could show. We conclude, the CMSS-associated PM level of every single customized brand should be measured because the origin of the tobacco and not the amount of CO, tar and nicotine (given as product information) seem to be responsible for the brand-specific PM release. This data is urgently needed to adequately inform the public about CMSS-associated PM exposure and the related health risk especially for passive smokers.

Review of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: Their potential human health impact

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are devised to deliver nicotine in a vapor rather than in smoke without tar. ECs are hence advertised as being safer than tobacco cigarette products as the chemical compounds inhaled in the former are believed to be fewer and less toxic than those of the latter. Hazardous chemicals (e.g., formaldehyde) are nonetheless found to be generated incidentally by contacting the heated wire (i.e., the oxidation of glycerol/glycol in e-liquid). Although the extent of their release varies by several variables (e.g., the type of e-liquid, puffing rate, and the battery voltage), their exposure may also contribute to negative health effects. As the use of ECs may be much safer than that of common tobacco products, the former can be used as an aid to cut down or quit the latter. However, relatively little is yet known about the health effects of the EC on a long-term basis. Moreover, the use of EC cannot be clearly substantiated for renormalizing smoking behavior by current evidence. Behavior studies of the EC consumer suggest that the sufficient data for aerosol generation and chemical analysis should be acquired to establish reliable guides for its composition and consumption. In light of the urgent demand for such guidelines, this review examines the basic aspects of EC-related pollutants and their health effects.

Particulate Matter in Second-Hand Smoke Emitted from Different Cigarette Sizes and Types of the Brand Vogue Mainly Smoked by Women

Indoor air pollution with harmful particulate matter (PM) is mainly caused by cigarette smoke. Super-Slim-Size-Cigarettes (SSL) are considered a less harmful alternative to King-Size-Cigarettes (KSC) due to longer filters and relatively low contents. We ask if “Combined Mainstream and Sidestream Smoke” (CMSS)-associated PM levels of SSL are lower than of KSC and thus are potentially less harmful. PM concentrations in CMSS (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁) are measured from four cigarette types of the brand Vogue, using an “automatic-environmental-tobacco-smoke-emitter” (AETSE) and laser aerosol spectrometry: SSL-BLEUE, -MENTHE, -LILAS and KSC-La Cigarette and -3R4F reference. This analysis shows that SSL MENTHE emitted the highest amount of PM, and KSC-La Cigarette the lowest. 3R4F reference emitted PM in the middle range, exceeding SSL BLEUE and falling slightly below SSL LILAS. It emerged that PM₁ constituted the biggest proportion of PM emission. The outcome shows significant type-specific differences for emitted PM concentrations. Our results indicate that SSL are potentially more harmful for passive smokers than the respective KSC. However, this study cannot give precise statements about the general influence of the size of a cigarette on PM. Alarming is that PM₁ is responsible for the biggest proportion of PM pollution, since smaller particles cause more harmful effects.

Are Filter-Tipped Cigarettes Still Less Harmful than Non-Filter Cigarettes?--A Laser Spectrometric Particulate Matter Analysis from the Non-Smokers Point of View

BACKGROUND

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with human morbidity and mortality, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD and lung cancer. Although direct DNA-damage is a leading pathomechanism in active smokers, passive smoking is enough to induce bronchial asthma, especially in children. Particulate matter (PM) demonstrably plays an important role in this ETS-associated human morbidity, constituting a surrogate parameter for ETS exposure.

METHODS

Using an Automatic Environmental Tobacco Smoke Emitter (AETSE) and an in-house developed, non-standard smoking regime, we tried to imitate the smoking process of human smokers to demonstrate the significance of passive smoking. Mean concentration (C(mean)) and area under the curve (AUC) of particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted by 3R4F reference cigarettes and the popular filter-tipped and non-filter brand cigarettes "Roth-Händle" were measured and compared. The cigarettes were not conditioned prior to smoking. The measurements were tested for Gaussian distribution and significant differences.

RESULTS

C(mean) PM2.5 of the 3R4F reference cigarette: 3911 µg/m³; of the filter-tipped Roth-Händle: 3831 µg/m³; and of the non-filter Roth-Händle: 2053 µg/m³. AUC PM2.5 of the 3R4F reference cigarette: 1,647,006 µg/m³·s; of the filter-tipped Roth-Händle: 1,608,000 µg/m³·s; and of the non-filter Roth-Händle: 858,891 µg/m³·s.

CONCLUSION

The filter-tipped cigarettes (the 3R4F reference cigarette and filter-tipped Roth-Händle) emitted significantly more PM2.5 than the non-filter Roth-Händle. Considering the harmful potential of PM, our findings note that the filter-tipped cigarettes are not a less harmful alternative for passive smokers. Tobacco taxation should be reconsidered and non-smoking legislation enforced.

Brand Cigarillos: Low Price but High Particulate Matter Levels-Is Their Favorable Taxation in the European Union Justified?

BACKGROUND

Second hand smoke (ETS)-associated particulate matter (PM) contributes considerably to indoor air contamination and constitutes a health risk for passive smokers. Easy to measure, PM is a useful parameter to estimate the dosage of ETS that passive smokers are exposed to. Apart from its suitability as a surrogate parameter for ETS-exposure, PM itself affects human morbidity and mortality in a dose-dependent manner. We think that ETS-associated PM should be considered an independent hazard factor, separately from the many other known harmful compounds of ETS. We believe that brand-specific and tobacco-product-specific differences in the release of PM matter and that these differences are of public interest.

METHODS

To generate ETS of cigarettes and cigarillos as standardized and reproducible as possible, an automatic second hand smoke emitter (AETSE) was developed and placed in a glass chamber. L&amp;M cigarettes ("without additives", "red label", "blue label"), L&amp;M filtered cigarillos ("red") and 3R4F standard research cigarettes (as reference) were smoked automatically according to a self-developed, standardized protocol until the tobacco product was smoked down to 8 mm distance from the tipping paper of the filter.

RESULTS

Mean concentration (Cmean) and area under the curve (AUC) in a plot of PM2.5 against time were measured, and compared. CmeanPM2.5 were found to be 518 μg/m(3) for 3R4F cigarettes, 576 μg/m(3) for L&amp;M "without additives" ("red"), 448 μg/m(3) for L&amp;M "blue label", 547 μg/m(3) for L&amp;M "red label", and 755 μg/m(3) for L&amp;M filtered cigarillos ("red"). AUCPM2.5-values were 208,214 μg/m(3)·s for 3R4F reference cigarettes, 204,629 μg/m(3)·s for L&amp;M "without additives" ("red"), 152,718 μg/m(3)·s for L&amp;M "blue label", 238,098 μg/m(3)·s for L&amp;M "red label" and 796,909 μg/m(3)·s for L&amp;M filtered cigarillos ("red").

CONCLUSION

Considering the large and significant differences in particulate matter emissions between cigarettes and cigarillos, we think that a favorable taxation of cigarillos is not justifiable.

Tobacco smoke particles and indoor air quality (ToPIQ-II) - a modified study protocol and first results

Background

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)-associated particulate matter (PM) has to be seen as an independent health hazard and needs to be discussed separately from the already well-known toxic and carcinogenic compounds contained in cigarette smoke. We believe that brand-specific amounts of PM are of public interest and should be investigated.

Methods

An automatic environmental tobacco smoke emitter was developed and placed into a glass-chamber to generate cigarette smoke as reliably as possible. Cigarettes were smoked automatically according to a standardized protocol. Mean concentrations (C_mean) and area under the curve (AUC) of PM2.5 released by the brands P&S, Virginia (without filter) and the 3R4F standard research cigarette of the University of Kentucky, USA, were measured and compared with each other.

Results

C_mean PM2.5 of 3R4F reference was 1,725 μg/m³, for P&S: 1,982 μg/m³ and for Virginia without filter: 1,525 μg/m³. AUC PM2.5 for 3R4F reference was: 527,644 μg/m³×sec, for P&S: 606,171 μg/m³×sec, and for Virginia without filter: 464,788 μg/m³×sec.

Conclusions

Our modified ToPIQ-II study protocol shows significant brand-specific differences in the amounts of PM2.5 released by cigarettes into the environment, when compared to 3R4F reference cigarettes. We believe that information about PM-release of all relevant brands in relation to reference cigarettes should be published. In the light of PM as an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality, this may serve as a basis for further epidemiologic investigations.