TAPaC—tobacco-associated particulate matter emissions inside a car cabin: establishment of a new measuring platform

• Published in: Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England) England), 2022-08, Vol.17 (1), p.1-17, Article 17
• Main Authors: Pitten, Lukas, Brüggmann, Dörthe, Dröge, Janis, Braun, Markus, Groneberg, David A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Airborne particulates; Asthma; Automobiles; Cancer; Cigarettes; Data processing; Emission measurements; Emissions; Emissions (Pollution); Environmental aspects; Environmental tobacco smoke; Evaluation; Exposure; Health risks; Ignition; In-cabin PM concentration; Indoor air pollution; Indoor air quality; Lungs; Medical research; Methodology; Particles; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Passive smoke; Passive smoking; Second-hand smoke; Smoking; Smoking in vehicles; Tobacco; Tobacco products; Tobacco smoke; Vehicles; Velocity; Ventilation
• ISSN: 1745-6673; 1745-6673
• DOI: 10.1186/s12995-022-00359-x

Background Particulate matter (PM) emission caused by tobacco combustion leads to severe health burdens worldwide. Second-hand smoke exposure is extraordinarily high in enclosed spaces (e.g., indoor rooms, car cabins) and poses a particular threat to the health of vulnerable individuals (e.g., children, elderly, etc.). This study aimed to establish a new measuring platform and investigate PM emissions under four different ventilation conditions inside a car cabin without exposing any person to harmful tobacco smoke. Methods PM concentrations were measured during the smoking of 3R4F reference cigarettes in a Mitsubishi Space Runner (interior volume 3.709 m.sup.3). The cigarettes were smoked with a machine, eliminating exposure of the researchers. Cigarettes were extinguished 4.5 min after ignition, and PM measurements continued until 10 min after ignition. Results High mean PM concentrations were measured for cigarettes without ventilation after 4.5 min (PM.sub.10: 1150 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.2.5: 1132 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.1: 861.6 [micro]g/m.sup.3) and after 10 min (PM.sub.10: 1608 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.2.5: 1583 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.1: 1133 [micro]g/m.sup.3). 3R4F smoked under conditions with turned on ventilation resulted in reduction of PM compared to those smoked without ventilation after 4.5 min (PM.sub.10:-47.5 to -58.4%, PM.sub.2.5:-47.2 to -58%, PM.sub.1:-39.6 to -50.2%) and after 10 min (PM.sub.10:-70.8 to -74.4%, PM.sub.2.5:-70.6 to -74.3%, PM.sub.1:-64.0 to -68.0%). Cigarettes smoked without ventilation generated high PM peaks at 4.5 min (PM.sub.10: 2207 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.2.5: 2166 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.1: 1421 [micro]g/m.sup.3) and at 10 min (PM.sub.10: 1989 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.2.5: 1959 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.1: 1375 [micro]g/m.sup.3). PM peaks of cigarettes smoked under different ventilation modes varied at 4.5 min (PM.sub.10: 630-845 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.2.5: 625-836 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.1: 543 - 693 [micro]g/m.sup.3) and 10 min (PM.sub.10: 124 - 130 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.2.5: 124 - 129 [micro]g/m.sup.3, PM.sub.1: 118 - 124 [micro]g/m.sup.3). Conclusion The new measuring platform provides a safer way for researchers to investigate PM emissions of cigarettes. These data are comparable to published research and show that smoking in a parked vehicle with the windows closed generates harmful PM emissions even when the vehicle ventilation is in operation. Future studies should be carried out using the new