Measurement of Trace Metals in Tobacco and Cigarette Ash by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasmas (ICP) in combination with atomic emission spectrometry (AES) or mass spectrometry (MS) are increasingly supplanting other methods of trace metal analysis (1-3). ICP-AES is ideal for measuring trace metals in a variety of samples because many elements can be measured simultaneously; this is in contrast to atomic absorption, where only one or two elements are typically measured at once and changing the element studied requires changeover of the lamps. ICP has a higher linear dynamic range, lower detection limits for some metals, and shorter analysis time. In addition, some nonmetallic elements such as bromine can be measured by ICP-AES (1-3).The application of ICP in undergraduate experiments to measure trace metals present in core sediments has been described previously by Mabury and coworkers (4). They compared ICP measurements to those using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Page et al. (5) described a physical chemistry experiment to determine the plasma temperature in an ICP.Here we report an experiment in which ICP-AES is used to quantify Zn, Fe, and Cr present in cigarette tobacco, the cigarette filter, and in the ash from burning the cigarette. Tobacco smoke is known to contain a number of toxic metals (6-8) as well as nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are harmful to human health (9). Hence, measurement of such metals in tobacco and the associated ash pose a relevant problem for an undergraduate instrumental analysis laboratory. This experiment complements a number of other undergraduate laboratories previously published in this Journal that focus on tobacco and cigarette smoke (10-19). Methods StandardsA stock solution containing As, Se, Sb, Zn, Co, Fe, Cu, and Cr was obtained by diluting 10 mL of an ICP standard (Spex CertiPrep, Inc.) by a factor of 10 with a 0.5% HNO 3 ͞5% HCl mixture (both concentrated TraceMetal

Determination of Arsenic in Sinus Wash and Tap Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry

“…Educ. (AAS, − ICP-OES − ) and collectively demonstrate individual strengths and limitations. A third instrument used for elemental analysis, the Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometer (ICP–MS), has become an academic, industry, and government workhorse for the rapid and nearly simultaneous analysis of most elements in the periodic table at part per trillion (ppt) detection limits or lower. − The experiment described in this work teaches students several important aspects of actual use of this instrument in the laboratory.…”

Magnetic particulate matters in the ashes of few commonly used Indian cigarettes

“…It is quite common that the magnetic content in ash is strongly enhanced as compared to that in un-burnt cigarette (Wang and Finlayson-Pitts 2003). It can be attributed to both significant weight loss (increase in concentration) owing to heating (Baliga et al 2004) and creation of new strongly magnetic minerals during burning.…”

Exploring Emission and Absorption Spectroscopy in the First-Year General Chemistry Laboratory

“…Historically, experiments studying emission spectroscopy in large enrollment general chemistry courses have often been carried out utilizing handheld spectrographs or spectroscopes. − For upper level, lower enrollment courses, many quantitative absorption and emission studies requiring the use of sophisticated instrumental techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) have been published in the chemical education literature. − While AAS and ICP-AES are highly sensitive and accurate techniques, they are often not used in general chemistry courses due to cost and availability. Technological advances have made devices like emission and absorption spectrometers more portable and affordable, providing opportunities to incorporate these techniques into large classes which would not have been previously feasible.…”