Effect of varied quantities of zeolite on the reduction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke

This research was carried out to determine the possibility of total and selective reduction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content in cigarette smoke by applying different amounts of zeolite directly to the cigarette blend. Zeolite catalysts CuZSM-5 were applied in the form of suspension to the cut tobacco blend in the quantities of 1 and 3%. After the equalization of the blend, the cigarettes were rolled on the cigarette making machine type MOLINS–9. The cigarettes were smoked according to the standard of ISO 3308 procedure. The smoke condensate which was extracted from Cambridge filter with methanol was analyzed by gas chromatography-microscopy (GC-MS). The obtained results indicated that there is a possibility of effective and selective catalytic reduction of PAHs in tobacco cigarette smoke. The determined reduction degree for the PAHs was 35.78 to 40.88%. The decrease of PAHs was proportional to the quantity of the zeolite added. CuZSM-5 showed a certain selectivity, especially towards fluoranthene (reduction ratio was 55.25:77.96%) and acenaphthylene (reduction ratio was 42.39:71.15%). It is possible to apply zeolite in the form of suspension to factory-made cigarettes because it does not affect the operation of machinery, especially the work of a cigarette maker.Key words: Tobacco smoke, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), zeolite catalyst, total reduction, selective reduction