RESTRICTED
Reference No.
G3.03
Research Conference, Canada - August, 1982
GRfiDC Research Programme, 1982 1984
PROPOSED REVISIONS FOR 1983 1985
Work Area 03 Nitrosamines
General
This is a new Work Area which will replace that on Papers and Tippings.
Nitrosamines will become a major activity and the strategic objective
will be to develop means of reducing mainstream deliveries and levels of
nitrosamines in sidestream and environmental smoke. It is envisaged
that additional effort will be generated for this Work Area which will
be taken from Filter Research since part of the nitrosamine work is
concerned with filtration (Work Area 02).
The work programme will be divided into sections by the various key
achievements, which will be:
(1) Method development
(2) Filtration of nitrosamines;
(3) Nitrosamines in tobacco;
(4) Nitrosamines in mainstream smoker
(5) Nitrosamines in sidestream smoker
(6) Nitrosamines in environmental smoke.
Etems (2) to (5) are interconnected and the practical work on these will
take place simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Key Achievements
1. Method development
methods for measuring nitrosamines in sidestream and environmental smoke
are required. The main problem is the collection of the nitrosamines.
Procedures for the final measurement have already been developed.
Filters for nitrosamines
CN
initially, this will involve a study of conventional cellulose acetat (-n
filters, more particularly the effect of changing parameters such N.)
a CC)
pressure drop and plasticizer content. This will be followed by a study
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999

2
of additions to attempt to increase the retention of nitrosamines. Other
synthetic fibres will be examined, including chemically modified cellulose
acetate and polypropylene (if samples of modified polypropylene can be
produced). This is cross-referenced with Work Area 02.
3. Nitrosamines in tobacco
It is proposed to study factors affecting the formation of nitrosamines
in tobacco at various stages from growing to the processed cut tobacco to
determine at what stage in this life cycle the nitrosamines are formed.
This will include different tobacco types, tobacco grown with different
fertiliser levels and with different levels of constituents such as'
nicotine, nitrate and polyphenols, all of which could influence the
production of nitrosamines in the tobacco or in the smoke. Some of the
tobaccos for this work will be obtained from the experiments set up by
the Leaf Steering Committee (Work Area 10). Consideration is being given
to the possibility of initiating contract work in connection with the
role of polyphenols in nitrosamine production as there is some evidence
in published literature that these materials can act as catalysts for
nitrosamine products. If this proves positive, work to suppress the
catalytic activities will be initiated.
4. Nitrosamines in mainstream smoke
It is thought that nitrosamines in mainstream smoke occur due to possible
transfer from tobacco and/or formation during smoking. These possibilities
will be studied, including the effects of changing the combustion condi-
tions on nitrosamine formation - i.e. puff volume, duration, etc. One
idea is that nitrosamines are formed during the inter-puff period.
Having obtained information on the formation of nitrosamines, attention
will be given to methods of reducing the smoke deliveries.
S. Nitrosamines in sidestream smoke
The high levels of volatile nitrosamines in sidestream smoke compared to
those in mainstream Is well known and an important part of the work is to
reduce these levels. This area is heavily linked with the work on the
mainstream nitrosamines. One area for study is to determine whether these
nitrosamines can be reduced by the use of modified cigarette papers.
6. Nitrosamines in environmental smoke
An important aspect of the work on environmental smoke is to determine
whether nitrosamines can be formed and, if so, to what extent, when ambient
smoke is kept for various periods in enclosed areas such as rooms.
Initially, it will be necessary to obtain levels of nitrosamines in
environmental smoke generated in the rooms, mentioned in Work Area 06.
It may also be important to obtain figures for the levels of nitros-
amines in uncontrolled environments such an public enclosed areas (bars,
restaurants, stations, etc.). Attention will be given also to procedures
for measuring nitrosamines in uncontrolled environments under the Test
Method Development programme (Work Area 15).
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BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999