A Simplified Method for Estimating Intensity of the Lingering Cigarette Odor

Abstract

The method developed to analyze the components of cigarette odors is capable of quantitatively evaluating lingering odor using a simple procedure. The odor intensity is then estimated by condensing the gas evaporated from curtain material previously exposed to cigarette odors and subsequently analyzing the gas with gas chromatograph mass spectrometry. The lingering odor has been confirmed to contain aldehyde, olefin, heterocyclic and heteroaromatic compounds. After confirming the linear correlation between the logarithm of vinyl pyridine concentration and the six-level odor intensity, a simplified method of estimating the intensity of lingering odors has become possible by using the vinyl pyridine concentration.

Capability of Relative Odor Level Monitors to Measure the Odor of Thirdhand Smoke

“…In particular, the gas detector tube can quickly determine the odor whenever it is required. Based on previous studies [11] and the results of this experiment, ammonia is considered a suitable gas detector tube type, but there are some problems with the lower limit of quantifica-tion; therefore, we believe that it would be best used in approximating the residual odor prior to a precise analysis. If two different odor-level standard gases can be used for the calibration of the regression curve for each monitor, it is possible to use them as measuring instruments for thirdhand smoke odor.…”

“…Regarding the gas detector tube, we decided to use an ammonia detector, as opposed to a pyridine detector, because, based on the results of Sample A (Figure 2), ammonia has a longer measurement time than pyridine. Previous studies have also reported that ammonia tends to adhere to curtain material, meaning it may potentially be more detectable [11]. 105SD has a higher coefficient of determination than No.3L; therefore, it was used in subsequent experiments.…”

“…Measurement range (one suction of 100 ml) is 0.5-14 ppm. Ammonia and pyridine detectors were selected for the detector tube types because previous studies have identified these substances as typical odorants of tobacco smoke [10][11].…”