title: Research report: Charcoal type used for hookah smoking influences CO production.
abstract: A hookah smoker who was treated for severe carbon monoxide poisoning with hyperbaric oxygen reported using a different type of charcoal prior to hospital admission, i.e., quick-light charcoal. This finding led to a study aimed at determining whether CO production differs between charcoals commonly used for hookah smoking, natural and quick-light. Our hypothesis was that quick-light charcoal produces significantly more CO than natural charcoal. A medium-sized hookah, activated charcoal filter, calibrated syringe, CO gas analyzer and infrared thermometer were assembled in series. A single 9-10 g briquette of either natural or quick-light charcoal was placed atop the hookah bowl and ignited. CO output (ppm) and temperature (degrees C) were measured in three-minute intervals over 90 minutes. The mean CO levels produced by quick-light charcoal over 90 minutes was significantly higher (3728 ± 2028) compared to natural charcoal (1730 ± 501 ppm, p = 0.016). However, the temperature was significantly greater when burning natural charcoal (292 ± 87) compared to quick-light charcoal (247 ± 92 degrees C, p = 0.013). The high levels of CO produced when using quick-light charcoals may be contributing to the increase in reported hospital admissions for severe CO poisoning.
authors.forename: Marlon A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Medford
authors.forename: Heath G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Gasier
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hexdall
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Moffat
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Freiberger
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000209:etiology*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058028:Research Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D002606:Charcoal; D002248:Carbon Monoxide