title: The use of charcoal in modified cigarette filters for mainstream smoke carbonyl reduction.
abstract: Carbonyls are harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in mainstream cigarette smoke (MSS). Carbonyls, including formaldehyde and acrolein, are carcinogenic or mutagenic in a dose-dependent manner. Past studies demonstrate significant reduction of HPHCs by charcoal filtration. However, limits of charcoal filtration and cigarette design have not yet been investigated in a systematic manner. Objective data is needed concerning the feasibility of HPHC reduction in combustible filtered cigarettes. This systematic study evaluates the effect of charcoal filtration on carbonyl reduction in MSS. We modified filters of ten popular cigarette products with predetermined quantities (100-400 mg) of charcoal in a plug-space-plug configuration. MSS carbonyls, as well as total particulate matter, tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide (TNCO), and draw resistance were quantified. Significant carbonyl reductions were observed across all cigarette products as charcoal loading increased. At the highest charcoal loadings, carbonyls were reduced by nearly 99%. Tar and nicotine decreased modestly (<20%) compared to reductions in carbonyls. Increased draw resistance was significant at only the highest charcoal loadings. This work addresses information gaps in the science base that can inform the evaluation of charcoal filtration as an available technological adaptation to cigarette design which reduces levels of carbonyls in MSS.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, United States.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.affiliation: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Holman
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Yan S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Xizheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chafin
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Magaly I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Roberto Bravo
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Cardenas
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000171:Acrolein / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002606:Charcoal; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D009153:Mutagens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis; D012906:Smoke; D062789:Tobacco Products
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009153:Mutagens; D012906:Smoke; D002606:Charcoal; D005557:Formaldehyde; D009538:Nicotine; D000171:Acrolein
keywords: Carbonyl; Charcoal; Cigarette; Filtration; HPHC; Risk-reduction; Smoke constituents; Technology; Tobacco