Toxic metal and nicotine content of cigarettes sold in China, 2009 and 2012

Abstract

BACKGROUND Metals of primary health concern can accumulate in the tobacco plant and contribute to smokers’ exposures to carcinogens, a significant cause of the millions of smoking-related deaths in China each year. These exposures are due to the smoker’s addiction to nicotine. OBJECTIVE This study sought to explore toxic heavy metal and nicotine concentrations in the tobacco of Chinese cigarette brands purchased in 2009 and 2012, as well as its regional variation. METHODS Cigarette packs for this study were purchased from seven Chinese cities in 2009 and 2012, and 91 pairs of cigarettes were matched based on UPC for comparison. Ten cigarette sticks were randomly selected from each pack and tested using polarized energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (XRF) for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) concentrations. Nicotine analysis was conducted following Coresta Recommended Method N°62. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, encompassing descriptive statistics, correlations and generalized estimating equations to observe changes in brand varieties over time. FINDINGS On average, from 2009 to 2012 As, Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations have decreased in Chinese tobacco. Of the seven cities where the cigarette brands were purchased, only four cities showed significant differences of the selected metals from 2009 to 2012. However, there was no significant change in tobacco nicotine content from 2009 to 2012. CONCLUSION Tobacco in Chinese cigarettes purchased in seven geographically disbursed cities contains consistently high levels of metals, including carcinogens like Cd. One source may be the improper use of fertilizers. These numbers should be monitored more carefully and regulated by health officials.

Mercury, cadmium, and lead in cigarettes from international markets: concentrations, distributions and absorption ability of filters

“…Nitrogen generally produces the greatest growth response in plants of all fertilizer nutrients (Davies et al, 2001). On the other hand, the fertilizer may contain heavy metals like As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Hg, which can be transferred to tobacco and be correlated with nicotine concentration (O'Connor et al, 2015). Therefore, some percentage of Hg and Cd content in tobacco may have resulted from fertilizer application to the soil upon which the tobac- co plant is cultivated.…”

Tobacco influence in heavy metals levels in head and neck cancer cases

“…A study of cigarette brands from different cities in China showed varying and high levels of heavy metals, suggesting that the use of fertilizers and pesticides may also contribute to these differences in the tobacco samples evaluated (O'Connor et al 2015). High rates of oral cancer were found in regions contaminated with heavy metals (Yuan et al 2011).…”

Elemental and molecular profiling of licit, illicit, and niche tobacco

“…Elemental fingerprints are typically detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), however, this technique is not practical for rapid on scene diagnostics that are required by U.K. Trading Standards and HMRC due to time constraints and the need for aggressive digestion methods that destroy evidence vital for criminal convictions [8,13]. X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) has previously been scaled down and applied for safe handheld use as an economical and sensitive technique to provide a bulk elemental profiles of plant foliage in under 15 seconds, easily translatable to tobacco analysis [14][15][16].…”