Tobacco Smoke–Related Health Effects Induced by 1,3-Butadiene and Strategies for Risk Reduction

Abstract

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a smoke component selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) study group on Tobacco Product Regulation (TobReg) for mandated lowering. We examined the tobacco smoke–related health effects induced by BD and possible health impacts of risk reduction strategies. BD levels in mainstream smoke (MSS) from international and Canadian cigarettes and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were derived from scientific journals and international government reports. Dose-response analyses from toxicity studies from government reports were evaluated and the most sensitive cancer and noncancer endpoints were selected. The risks were evaluated by taking the ratio (margin of exposure, MOE) from the most sensitive toxicity endpoint and appropriate exposure estimates for BD in MSS and ETS. BD is a good choice for lowering given that MSS and ETS were at levels for cancer (leukemia) and noncancer (ovarian atrophy) risks, and the risks can be significantly lowered when lowering the BD concentrations in smoke. Several risk reduction strategies were analyzed including a maximum level of 125% of the median BD value per milligram nicotine obtained from international brands as recommended by the WHO TobReg, tobacco substitute sheets, dual and triple carbon filters, and polymer-derived carbon. The use of tobacco substitute sheet with a polymer-derived carbon filter resulted in the most significant change in risk for cancer and noncancer effects. Our results demonstrate that MOE analysis might be a practical way to assess the impact of risk reduction strategies on human health in the future.

Potential harmful health effects of inhaling nicotine-free shisha-pen vapor: a chemical risk assessment of the main components propylene glycol and glycerol

“…Risk assessment was performed per major component found in shisha-pen vapor, propylene glycol and glycerol. The maximum concentration of propylene glycol and glycerol that would reach the lower respiratory tract after one puff was estimated, as described previously [ 3 , 4 ]. For the shisha-pen, the amount of puffs taken per unit time, the volume of vapor inhaled and the length of vaping sessions of the average shisha-pen user remain unknown.…”

“…Risk assessment was performed for the major components found in the shisha-pen vapor, according to a procedure recently developed for smoking of cigarettes [ 3 , 4 ]. First, a hazard assessment was performed.…”

“…Therefore, possible risks were assessed by taking a pragmatic approach combining known topography for cigarettes [ 5 ] and e-cigarettes [ 6 ], using a 1-puff scenario (one-time exposure). The maximum concentrations of the major components in shisha-pen vapor that would reach the lower respiratory tract were calculated, as described previously [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Empirical characterisation of ranges of mainstream smoke toxicant yields from contemporary cigarette products using quantile regression methodology

“…This approach is compatible with previous work on prioritisation of smoke toxicants using the Margin of Exposure model (Cunningham et al, 2011;Soeteman-Hernandez et al, 2013) or hazard indexes (Haussmann, 2012). The ''overall percentile'' for a product can be written as:…”

Author's response to: "Harmful effects form one puff of shisha-pen vapor: methodological and interpretational problems in the risk assessment analysis"

“…We believe that the best option forward is the application of the Margin of Exposure (MOE) analysis. This approach is commonly used within different risk assessment frameworks and has been used before in a risk assessment for exposure to 1,3-butadiene through smoking [ 2 ]. The MOE approach has also been proposed in risk assessment of smoking by others (e.g., [ 3 , 4 ]).…”