Polyurethane-Based Face Mask as a Sampling Device for Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), also known as secondhand smoking, contains human carcinogens associated with the development of many human diseases, including stroke, heart disease, leukemia, and lung cancer. Due to these adverse health effects, a sensitive and selective method is crucial for assessing the health impacts of ETS. While current methods to evaluate ETS exposure are either invasive or nonspecific and insensitive, in this study, we assessed the use of polyurethane foam face masks as a sampling medium to collect tobacco smoke-specific nicotine and nitrosamines for estimating personal exposure to ETS. This method was used in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry coupled with isotope-dilution detection. After validation by comparison with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standard method (NIOSH 2551) for nicotine, we quantitated ETS exposure in indoor and outdoor environments. The analysis shows the applicability of the method for monitoring nicotine down to similar to 0.20 mg/m(3) near an outdoor smoking hotspot and up to similar to 5.2 mg/m(3) in a room with burning cigarettes, all with a time resolution as short as 5 min. In comparison with the NIOSH method, the newly developed method is convenient, inexpensive, and does not require a personal sampling pump, thus can facilitate large-scale ETS exposure monitoring.

Automated summary

The study assessed the use of polyurethane foam face masks as a sampling medium for estimating personal exposure to ETS, in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry. The newly developed method showed convenience, affordability, and the ability to monitor nicotine levels in indoor and outdoor environments without requiring a personal sampling pump.