Ultrafine particle emissions from waterpipes.
OBJECTIVE
Ultrafine particle emissions from waterpipes and their impact on human health have not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to characterise the inhalation pattern of waterpipe smokers, and (a) construct apparatus to simulate waterpipe smoking in the laboratory, and (b) characterise mainstream emissions from waterpipes under different smoking conditions.


METHODS
Real life waterpipe smoking patterns were first measured with a spirometer. The average smoking pattern was then mechanically simulated in apparatus. Total particle number concentrations were determined with a condensation particle counter (CPC) for particles between 0.02 microm and 1 microm (P-Trak UPC, Model 8525, TSI) and the particle size fraction was determined with a differential mobility analyser (DMA) for particles from 0.01 microm to 0.5 microm. This instrument was coupled with a laser particle spectrometer for particles between 0.35 microm and 10 microm (Wide Range Particle Spectrometer, Model 1000XP, MSC Corp). Carbon monoxide levels were determined with an electrochemical sensor (Q-Trak monitor, Model 8554, TSI).


RESULTS
The tidal volume of an average waterpipe breath of 5 seconds was found to be 1 (SD 0.47) litre. The intervals between breaths on average were 25.5 (SD 10.2) seconds. Particle number concentrations of ultrafine particles in mainstream smoke during waterpipe smoking ranged up to 70 x 10(9) particles per litre. The median diameter of the particles in a full smoking set with charcoal, tobacco and water was 0.04 microm. Smoke from the heated tobacco contributed to particles in the size range between 0.01 microm and 0.2 microm. The glowing piece of charcoal only contributed to particles smaller than 0.05 microm.


CONCLUSIONS
Waterpipe smoking emits large amounts of ultrafine particles. With regard to particle emissions, smoking waterpipes may carry similar health risks to smoking cigarettes.
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Work and Health, Stauffacherstrasse 101, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland. christian.monn@seco.admin.ch
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Kindler
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Brändli
D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013557:Switzerland; D013990:Tidal Volume; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014867:Water; D002248:Carbon Monoxide