Combustion and pyrolysis chemistry of the biomaterials are critical for understanding the health effects of tobacco smoking. Formation of nitrosamines, PAHs, acroleine and many other thermal degradation by-products have long been identified as toxic and/or carcinogen agents.  Recent discoveries of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) in tobacco tars and TPM (total particulate matter) have pointed to another agent contributing to impact on humans. EPFRs originate from the surface interaction of aromatic derivatives with metal centers in TPM and stabilization of resulting radicals.  Such EPFRs have been identified in first hand, second hand and third hand smoke with often increasing potency with aging in air. Unfortunately, EPFRs have been identified not only in the “combustion” systems but also (though to a lesser extent) in the vaporizers. Cannabis biomaterial pose new challenges in the identification and assessment of the role of EPFRs in the cannabis smoke.  Not only the formation of EPFRs from biopolymer degradation products are at play but also active ingredients tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are potential sources of EPFRS. As these compounds are the target delivery molecules and structurally potential EPFR precursors, the risk of EPFR exposure for smokers is elevated. The chemical structure of THC and CBD make those compounds prone to formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p- dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans if source of chlorine is also present.<br/>

New research on tobacco and e-cigs: Lessons for cannabis

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.