Contributions of charcoal, tobacco, and syrup to the toxicity and particle distribution of waterpipe tobacco smoke. (1st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bernd, Karen; DeGrood, David; Stadtler, Hannah; Coats, Sarah; Carmack, Dylan; Mailig, Ronnae; Lidsky, Samuel; Hauser, Cindy
• Is Part Of: Toxicology letters. Volume 313(2019)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2019-10-01
• Subjects: Waterpipe -- Shisha -- Particulate matter -- Air liquid interface -- Waterpipe tobacco smoke -- Toxicity; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 363.179
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-4274

Abstract

Highlights: Shisha tobacco, flavorants, and humectant each contribute to dose and toxicity. WTS from electronic and charcoal heating cause similar alveolar cell damage. Particle size and concentration data are critical when evaluating WTS health effects. Assessing chemical and physical toxicity of smoke requires multiple metrics. Abstract: The use of waterpipes in the United States is increasing in a largely unregulated market. The shisha smoked in a waterpipe is a complex matrix of tobacco, flavorings, and humectant with smoke generated by an external heat source. This study explored the relationship between shisha components and the particulate matter size distributions and toxicity of smoke generated with heating. Standard waterpipe puff topography of charcoal- or electronic- heated whole shisha and shisha components generated smoke particulate matter that was characterized using a TSI Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer. Relative toxicity of the whole smoke was determined via measurement of lysosomal integrity and measures of membrane integrity following acute exposure of type II alveolar cells at the air-liquid interface. All waterpipe aerosols exhibited a unimodal particle size distribution, the peak and concentration of which varied depending upon the shisha components present. Acute exposure to charcoal-heated whole shisha, flavoring syrup, or humectant smoke, or electronic-heated whole shisha smoke caused significant alveolar cell damage and death, indicating neither tobacco nor charcoal are needed for these cytotoxic effects to occur.