Heavy metals in cigarettes for sale in Spain.
The aim of the present study was to determine the concentrations of eight metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr) in 33 cigarette brands for sale in Spain. Samples were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mean values obtained were 428 µg Al/g, 0.810 µg Cd/g, 0.558 µg Co/g, 1.442 µg Cr/g, 112.026 µg Mn/g, 2.238 µg Ni/g, 0.602 µg Pb/g and 82.206 µg Sr/g. Statistically significant differences were observed with respect to concentrations of Co (0.004), Cr (0.045), Mn (0.005) and Sr (0.005) between black and blond tobacco and between levels of Mn (0.027) among manufacturers. Considering a Cd inhalation rate of 10% and a Cd absorption rate of 50%, absorption of Cd for smokers of 30 cigarettes/day was estimated at 0.75 µg Cd/day. An inhalation rate of 2-6% and an absorption rate of 86% were considered for Pb, Pb absorption in smokers of 30 cigarettes/day was therefore 0.18-0.54 μg/day. In view of the significant toxic effects of these metals, quantification and control of their concentrations in this drug are of the utmost importance.
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Carmen
C
Rubio Armendáriz
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Tiago
T
Garcia
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Alfredo
A
Soler
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Ángel José
ÁJ
Gutiérrez Fernández
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Dailos
D
Glez-Weller
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Gara
G
Luis González
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Arturo Hardisson
AH
de la Torre
Área de Toxicología. Universidad de La Laguna. 38071 La Laguna. S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
Consuelo
C
Revert Gironés
D057230:Limit of Detection; D040541:Marketing; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D013030:Spain; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification
D019216:Metals, Heavy
Cigarettes; Heavy metals; Spain; Tobacco