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Volatile N-nitrosamines in environmental tobacco smoke: Sampling, analysis, emission factors, and indoor air exposures

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es950396s· OSTI ID:249726
;  [1]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)

A more convenient sampling and analysis method for the volatile N-nitrosamines (VNA) in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), using commercially available Thermosorb/N cartridges, was developed and validated. Using the method, emission factors for the two major VNA in ETS were determined in a room-sized environmental chamber for six commercial cigarette brands, which together accounted for 62.5% of the total market in California in 1990. The average emission factors were 565{+-}115 and 104{+-}20 ng per cigarette for N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosopyrrolidine, respectively. The emission factors were used to estimate VNA exposures from ETS in a typical office building and an average residence. Indoor concentrations of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine from ETS for these modeled scenarios were less than 10% of the reported median outdoor concentration. This median outdoor concentration, however, includes many measurements made in source-dominated areas and may be considerably higher than one based on more representative sampling of outdoor air. 35 refs., 4 tabs.

DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
249726
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 30; ISSN 0013-936X; ISSN ESTHAG
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English