title: Chemical and toxicological characteristics of conventional and low-TSNA moist snuff tobacco products.
abstract: Use of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) is associated with oral cavity cancer and other health risks. Comprehensive analysis for chemical composition and toxicity is needed to compare conventional and newer STPs with lower tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) yields. Seven conventional and 12 low-TSNA moist snuff products purchased in the U.S., Sweden, and South Africa were analyzed for 18 chemical constituents (International Agency for Research on Cancer classified carcinogens), pH, nicotine, and free nicotine. Chemicals were compared in each product using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and principle component analysis (PCA). Conventional compared to low-TSNA moist snuff products had higher ammonia, benzo[a]pyrene, cadmium, nickel, nicotine, nitrate, and TSNAs and had lower arsenic in dry weight content and per mg nicotine. Lead and chromium were significantly higher in low-TSNA moist snuff products. PCA showed a clear difference for constituents between conventional and low-TSNA moist snuff products. Differences among products were reduced when considered on a per mg nicotine basis. As one way to contextualize differences in constituent levels, probabilistic lifetime cancer risk was estimated for chemicals included in The University of California's carcinogenic potency database (CPDB). Estimated probabilistic cancer risks were 3.77-fold or 3-fold higher in conventional compared to low-TSNA moist snuff products under dry weight or under per mg nicotine content, respectively. In vitro testing for the STPs indicated low level toxicity and no substantial differences. The comprehensive chemical characterization of both conventional and low-TSNA moist snuff products from this study provides a broader assessment of understanding differences in carcinogenic potential of the products. In addition, the high levels and probabilistic cancer risk estimates for certain chemical constituents of smokeless tobacco products will further inform regulatory decision makers and aid them in their efforts to reduce carcinogen exposure in smokeless tobacco products.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University, The College of Public Health, Columbus, OH, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Min-Ae
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Biochemistry and Pharmacology Department, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Catalin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marian
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Theodore M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Brasky
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reisinger
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Control Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Djordjevic
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA. Electronic address: peter.shields@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Shields
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000032:analysis; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009602:Nitrosamines; D009538:Nicotine
keywords: Cancer risk; Carcinogens; Moist snuff; Smokeless tobacco; TSNAs