World Health Organization Tobacco Laboratory Network SOP 03 Determination of tobacco-specifi c nitrosamines in mainstream tobacco smoke
WHO TobLabNet Offi cial Method
SOP 03
Standard operating procedure for determination of tobacco-specifi c
nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke under ISO and
intense smoking conditions
WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Standard operating procedure for determination of tobacco-specifi c nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke under ISO and intense smoking conditions.
1.Nitrosamine – analysis. 2.Tobacco – chemistry. 3.Smoke – analysis. 4.Consumer product safety. 5.Materials testing – methods.I.World Health Organization.
ISBN 978 92 4 150666 3 (NLM classifi cation:QV 137)
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No.: SOP 03 Date: June 2014
World Health Organization Tobacco Laboratory Network
Standard operating procedure for method Determination of tobacco-specifi c nitrosamines
in mainstream cigarette smoke under ISO and intense smoking conditions
Method: Determination of tobacco-specifi c nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke under ISO and intense smoking conditions
Analytes: 3-(1-Nitrosopyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine(CAS# 16543-55-8) 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone
(CAS# 64091-91-4)
N-Nitrosoanatabine (CAS# 71267-22-6) N-Nitrosoanabasine (CAS# 37620-20-5)
Matrix: Tobacco cigarette mainstream smoke particulate matter Last update: June 2014
No machine smoking regimen can represent all human smoking b ehaviour: machine smoking testing is useful for characterizing
cigarette emissions for design and regulatory purposes, but communication of machine measurements to smokers can result in misunderstanding about differences between brands in exposure and
risk. Data on smoke emissions from machine measurements may be used as inputs for product hazard assessment, but they are not
intended to be nor are they valid as measures of human exposure or risks. Representing differences in machine measurements as
differences in exposure or risk is a misuse of testing with WHO TobLabNet standards.
No.: SOP 03 Date: June 2014
The mention of specifi c companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WHO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
No.: SOP 03 Date: June 2014 FOREWORD
This document was prepared by members of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco Laboratory Network (TobLabNet) as an analytical method standard operating procedure (SOP) for measuring tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in mainstream cigarette smoke under International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and intense smoking conditions.
INTRODUCTION
In order to establish comparable measurements for testing tobacco products globally, consensus methods are required for measuring specific contents and emissions of cigarettes. The Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) at its third session in Durban, South Africa, in November 2008, “recalling its decisions FCTC/COP1(15) and FCTC/
COP2(14) on the elaboration of guidelines for implementation of Articles 9 (Regulation of the contents of tobacco products) and 10 (Regulation of tobacco product disclosures) of the WHO FCTC, noting the information contained in the report of the working group to the third session of the Conference of the Parties on the progress of its work … requested the Convention Secretariat to invite WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative to … validate, within five years, the analytical chemical methods for testing and measuring cigarette contents and emissions” (FCTC/COP/3/REC/1).
Using the criteria for prioritization set at its third meeting in Ottawa, Canada, in October 2006, the working group on Articles 9 and 10 identified the following contents for which methods for testing and measurement (analytical chemistry) should be validated as a priority:
nicotine
ammonia
propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol)
glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol)
triethylene glycol (2,2-ethylenedioxybis(ethanol)).
Measurement of these contents will require validation of three methods: one for nicotine, one for ammonia and one for humectants.
Using the criteria for prioritization set at the meeting in Ottawa mentioned above, the working group identified the following emissions in mainstream smoke for which methods for testing and measurement (analytical chemistry) should be validated as a priority:
4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)
N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN)
acetaldehyde
acrylaldehyde (acrolein)
benzene
benzo[a]pyrene
1,3-butadiene
carbon monoxide
formaldehyde
Measurement of these emissions with the two smoking regimens described below will require validation of five methods: one for tobacco-specific nitrosamines (NNK and NNN), one for benzo[a]pyrene, one for aldehydes (acetaldehyde, acrolein and formaldehyde), one for volatile organic compounds (benzene, 1,3-butadiene) and one for carbon monoxide.
The table below sets out the two smoking regimens for validation of the test methods referred to above.
This SOP was prepared to describe the procedure for the determination of TSNAs in mainstream cigarette smoke under ISO and intense smoking conditions.
1 SCOPE
1.1 This method is suitable for quantitative determination of the following four TSNAs in mainstream cigarette smoke: 3-(1-nitrosopyrrolidin- 2-yl)pyridine(NNN), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT) and N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB) by combined high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS-MS).
Note: The Conference of the Parties recommended that only NNN and NNK be measured. Information on the analysis of NAT and NAB is included for laboratories that choose to conduct those measurements.
1.2 NNN and NNK are potent carcinogens; NAB is a weaker carcinogen, while NAT is not carcinogenic. NNN and NNK are not originally present in tobacco leaves but are formed from the nitrosation of nicotine during tobacco curing and storage; NAB is formed from nitrosation of anabasine and NAT from nitrosation of anatabine.
After absorption into the body, NNN and NNK can be hydroxylated to compounds that form adducts with haemoglobin or DNA.
2 REFERENCES
2.1 ISO 3402: Tobacco and tobacco products—Atmosphere for conditioning and testing.
Smoking regimen Puff volume (mL)
Puff frequency Filter ventilation holes
ISO regimen: ISO 3308;
Routine analytical cigarette smoking machine—
defi nitions and standard conditions
35 Once every
60 s
No modifi cations
Intense regimen: Same as ISO 3308, but modifi ed as indicated
55 Once every
30 s
All ventilation holes must be blocked 100%
as described in WHO TobLabNet SOP 01.
2.2 ISO 4387: Cigarettes—Determination of total and nicotine-free dry particulate matter using a routine analytical smoking machine.
2.3 World Health Organization. Standard operating procedure for intense smoking of cigarettes. Geneva, Tobacco Laboratory Network (WHO TobLabNet SOP 01).
2.4 ISO 3308: Routine analytical cigarette-smoking machine—
Definitions and standard conditions.
2.5 ISO 8243: Cigarettes—Sampling
2.6 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Guidelines on representative drug sampling. Vienna, Laboratory and Scientific Section, 2009 (http://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/Drug_Sampling.pdf).
2.7 World Health Organization. Standard operating procedure for validation of analytical methods of tobacco product contents and emissions. Geneva, Tobacco Laboratory Network (WHO TobLabNet SOP 02).
2.8 World Health Organization. Method validation report of World Health Organization TobLabNet official method: Determination of tobacco- specific nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke under ISO and intense smoking conditions. Geneva, Tobacco Laboratory Network, forthcoming.
2.9 ISO 5725-1. Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results—Part 1: General principles and definitions.
2.10 ISO 5725-2. Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results—Part 2: Basic method for the determination of repeatability and reproducibility of a standard measurement method.
3 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 3.1 TPM: total particulate matter
3.2 TSNAs: tobacco-specific nitrosamines 3.3 NNN:3-(1-nitrosopyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine
3.4 NNK: 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone 3.5 NAT:N-nitrosoanatabine
3.6 NAB:N-nitrosoanabasine
3.7 Tobacco products: Products entirely or partly made of leaf tobacco as the raw material that are manufactured to be used for smoking, sucking, chewing or snuffing (Article 1(f) of the WHO FCTC)
3.8 Intense regimen: Parameters for smoking tobacco products that include a 55-mL puff volume, a 30-s puff interval, a 2-s puff duration and 100% blocking of filter ventilation holes
3.9 ISO regimen: Parameters for smoking tobacco products that include a 35-mL puff volume, a 60-s puff interval, a 2-s puff duration and no blocking of filter ventilation holes
3.10 Laboratory sample: Sample intended for testing in a laboratory, consisting of a single type of product delivered to the laboratory at one time or within a specified period
3.11 Test sample: Product to be tested, taken at random from the laboratory sample.
3.12 Test portion: Random portion from the test sample to be used for a single determination.
4 METHOD SUMMARY
4.1 Mainstream smoke from the cigarette test sample is trapped onto a glass-fibre filter pad (commonly referred to as a Cambridge filter pad).
4.2 The number of cigarettes may have to be adjusted to prevent breakthrough of the filter pad. If the TPM exceeds 600 mg for a 92-mm filter pad or 150 mg for a 44-mm filter pad, the number of cigarettes smoked onto each pad must be decreased.
4.3 A solution containing a mixture of two (or four) isotope-labelled internal standards is spiked onto the pad, which is extracted with ammonium acetate.
4.4 The extract is filtered and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS-MS) with electrospray ionization. Analyte ions are detected in the MS-MS mode.
4.5 The reconstructed ion chromatogram peak area ratio of native analyte to labelled internal standard is compared on a calibration curve created by analysis of standards with known concentrations of the TSNAs to determine the TSNA content of each test portion.
5 SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION: Nitrosamines are potent carcinogens. Precautions shall be taken to avoid human exposure.
Nitrosamines and their solutions should be handled in an adequately ventilated fume hood, glove box or equivalent.
The laboratory shall establish procedures for disposal of solutions containing nitrosamines.
5.1 Take routine safety and environmental precautions, as in any chemical laboratory activity.
5.2 The testing and evaluation of certain products with this test method may require the use of materials or equipment that could be hazardous or harmful to the environment; this document does not address all the safety aspects associated with its use.
All persons using this method have the responsibility to consult the appropriate authorities and to establish health and safety practices as well as environmental precautions in conjunction with any existing applicable regulatory requirements prior to its use.
5.3 Special care should be taken to avoid inhalation or dermal exposure to harmful chemicals. Use a chemical fume hood, and wear an
appropriate laboratory coat, gloves and safety goggles when preparing or handling undiluted materials, standard solutions, extraction solutions or collected samples.
6 APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT Usual laboratory apparatus, in particular:
6.1 Equipment required to condition cigarettes as specified in ISO 3402 [2.1]
6.2 Equipment required to mark butt length as specified in ISO 4387 [2.2]
6.3 Equipment required to cover filter ventilation holes for the intense regimen as specified in WHO TobLabNet SOP 01 [2.3]
6.4 Equipment required to perform smoking of tobacco products as specified in ISO 3308 [2.4]
6.5 Analytical balance capable of measurements to at least four decimal places
6.6 Vortexer, wrist-action shaker or equivalent
6.7 Pipettes and tips capable of accurately dispensing volumes of 100–1000 μL
6.8 Volumetric pipette(s) or equivalent, 2 mL 6.9 Glass graduated cylinders, 25 mL and 2 L 6.10 Teflon-lined septa or equivalent
6.11 Volumetric flasks, 10 mL, 50 mL, 100 mL, 200 mL, 1 L and 2 L 6.12 Amber glass bottles, 60 mL, 1 L, or suitable flasks
6.13 25 mL 0.45 μm GD/X nylon syringe filters or equivalent 6.14 5-mL syringe or equivalent
6.15 47 mm 0.45 μm nylon membrane filters or equivalent 6.16 Glass transfer pipettes or equivalent
6.17 Autosampler vials, 2 mL or equivalent 6.18 HPLC system interfaced to MS-MS
6.19 MS-MS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer
6.20 HPLC column capable of distinct separation of TSNA and isotope- labelled TSNA peaks from those of other cigarette emission components, e.g. Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 (2.1 150 mm, 3.5-μm particle size)
6.21 Opti-Guard RP C18 guard column or appropriate equivalent (optional)
7 REAGENTS AND SUPPLIES
All reagents shall be of at least analytical reagent grade unless otherwise noted. When possible, reagents are identified by their Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry numbers.
7.1 3-(1-Nitrosopyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine (NNN) [16543-55-8]
7.2 Deuterium-labelled3-(1-nitrosopyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine(NNN-d4) 7.3 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) [64091-91-4]
7.4 Deuterium-labelled 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK-d4)
7.5 N-Nitrosoanatabine (NAT) [71267-22-6]
7.6 Deuterium-labelled N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT-d4) 7.7 N-Nitrosoanabasine (NAB) [37620-20-5]
7.8 Deuterium-labelled N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB-d4) 7.9 Ammonium acetate, HPLC-grade [631-61-8]
7.10 Glacial acetic acid [64-19-7]
7.11 Water Type 1 [7732-18-5], deionized water or equivalent 7.12 Acetonitrile, HPLC-grade [75-05-8]
7.13 Methanol, HPLC-grade [67-56-1]
8 PREPARATION OF GLASSWARE
Clean and dry glassware in a manner to avoid contamination.
9 PREPARATION OF SOLUTIONS
The method for preparing the solutions described below is for reference purpose and can be adjusted if necessary.
9.1 Ammonium acetate (100 mmol/L): extraction solution 9.1.1 Weigh approximately 7.7 g of ammonium acetate.
9.1.2 Dissolve the measured ammonium acetate in water in a 1-L volumetric flask or other suitable flask (e.g. beaker).
9.1.3 Cap tightly, and shake the contents to ensure complete mixing.
9.1.4 Transfer to a 1-Lamber glass bottle, and store at 4–10 °C.
9.2 Mobile phase A (0.1% acetic acid in water (v/v))
9.2.1 Transfer approximately 1.4 L of water into a 2-L volumetric flask or other suitable flask (e.g. beaker).
9.2.2 Pipette 2 mL of glacial acetic acid into the flask.
9.2.3 Mix and add water to volume.
9.2.4 Cap and mix the solution, and store at 4–10 °C.
9.3 Mobile phase B (0.1% acetic acid in methanol (v/v))
9.3.1 Transfer approximately 1.4 L of methanol into a 2-L volumetric flask or other suitable flask (e.g. beaker).
9.3.2 Pipette 2 mL of glacial acetic acid into the flask.
9.3.3 Mix, and add methanol to volume.
9.3.4 Cap and mix the solution, and store at 4–10 °C.
10 PREPARATION OF STANDARDS
The method for preparing standard solutions described below is for reference purposes and can be adjusted if necessary.
10.1 Isotope- labelled internal standards
10.1.1 TSNA internal standard stocks (0.4 mg/mL)
10.1.1.1 Weigh approximately 4 mg (mIS) of each isotope-labelled TSNA into individual 10-mL volumetric flasks on a four-decimal-place balance, and record the weight to the nearest 0.1mg.
10.1.1.2 Dissolve each of the measured TSNA internal standards in 10 mL of acetonitrile, and mix well.
10.1.1.3 Label, and store at –20 ± 5 °C in amber vials. The solution is stable for 2 years.
10.1.2 TSNA mixed internal standard solution (5 μg/mL)
10.1.2.1 Pipette 1.25 mL (VIS) of each internal standard stock from 10.1.1 into a 100-mL volumetric flask.
10.1.2.2 Dilute to the mark with 100 mmol/L ammonium acetate, and mix well.
10.1.2.3 Label and store at –20 ± 5 °C in amber vials. The solution is stable for 2 weeks.
10.2 Native standards
Individual standard stock solutions are prepared in acetonitrile and stored at –20 ± 5 ºC. Intermediate mixed standard solutions are made from the individual standard stocks.
10.2.1 TSNA standard stock solutions (0.4 mg/mL)
10.2.1.1 Weigh approximately 4 mg (ms) of each of the four TSNAs on a four-decimal-place analytical balance, and record the weight.
10.2.1.2 Dissolve each of the measured TSNA standards in approximately 8 mL of acetonitrile in a 10-mL volumetric flask.
10.2.1.3 Fill to the mark with acetonitrile, and mix well.
10.2.1.4 Label, and store at –20 ± 5 °C in amber vials. The solution is stable for 2 years.
10.2.2 TSNA intermediate mixed standard solution (1 μg/mL) 10.2.2.1 Pipette 25 μL (VSS) of each of the four
standard stocks from 10.2.1 into a 10-mL volumetric flask.
10.2.2.2 Dilute to the mark with 100 mmol/L ammonium acetate, and mix well.
10.2.2.3 Label, and store at –20 ± 5 °C in an amber vial. The solution is stable for 2 weeks.
10.2.3 TSNA final mixed standard solutions
10.2.3.1 Prepare final standard solutions according to Table 1 below.
10.2.3.2 Spike variable volumes of the intermediate mixed standard solution (10.2.2) into a 10-mLvolumetric flask.
10.2.3.3 Add 100 μL of the internal standard solution (10.1.2), fill to the mark with 100 mmol/L ammonium acetate, and mix well.
10.2.3.4 The final concentrations of the internal standards can be determined from:
Final concentration (IS) (ng/mL) mIS VIS
10 100 0 110. × 106
×
×
= where
mIS is the original weight (in mg) of the internal standard determined in 10.1.1.1 VIS is the volume of the mixed internal standard solution (in mL) pipetted in 10.1.2.1.
Note: 106 is the factor to converting mg to ng 10.2.3.5 The final concentrations of standards are
determined from:
Final concentration (ng/mL) VSS VMIX
10 10 10 106
mS
× × ×
= where
mS is the original weight (in mg) of the standard determined in 10.2.1.1,
VSS is the volume of the mixed standard solution (in mL) pipetted in 10.2.2.1, VMIX is the volume of the mixed standard solution (in mL) indicated in Table 1
10.2.3.6 Additional, higher concentrations of standards may be required to extend the calibration range to cover products with high levels of TSNAs.
The range of the standard solutions may be adjusted, depending on the equipment used and the samples to be tested, keeping in mind the possible effect on the sensitivity of the method.
All solvents and solutions must be adjusted to room temperature before use.
11 SAMPLING
11.1 Sample cigarettes according to ISO 8243 [2.5] or alternative approaches may be used to obtain a representative laboratory sample in accordance with individual laboratory practice or when required by specific regulation or availability of samples.
11.2 Constitution of test sample
11.2.1 Divide the laboratory sample into separate units (e.g.
packet, container), if applicable.
11.2.2 Take an equal amount of product for each test sample from at least n [2.6] of the individual units (e.g. packet, container).
12 CIGARETTE PREPARATION
12.1 Condition all cigarettes to be smoked in accordance with ISO 3402 [2.1].
12.2 Mark cigarettes at a butt length in accordance with ISO 4387 [2.2]
and WHO TobLabNet SOP01 [2.3].
12.3 Prepare test samples to be smoked in accoudance to either ISO or intense smoking conditions as specified in WHO TobLabNet SOP 01 [2.3].
13 PREPARATION OF THE SMOKING MACHINE 13.1 Ambient conditions
The ambient conditions for smoking are specified in ISO 3308 [2.4].
Table 1. TSNA calibration standards Standard Volume of TSNA i ntermediate
mixed s tandard solution (1μg/mL) (mL) (VMIX)
Volume of mixed TSNA internal s tandard s olution (mL) (VIS)
Total volume
(mL)
Approximate concentration of each TSNA in fi nal mixed
standard solution (ng/mL)
1 0.005 0.100 10 0.5
2 0.010 0.100 10 1.0
3 0.020 0.100 10 2.0
4 0.050 0.100 10 5.0
5 0.200 0.100 10 20.0
6 0.500 0.100 10 50.0
7 1.000 0.100 10 100.0
8 2.000 0.100 10 200.0
13.2 Smoking machine specifications
Follow ISO 3308 [2.4] smoking machine specifications, except for intense smoking, for which the smoking machine should be prepared as described in WHO TobLabNet SOP01 [2.3].
14 SAMPLE GENERATION
Smoke a sufficient number of cigarettes on the specified smoking machine such that breakthrough does not occur and the concentrations of the NNN, NNK, NAT and NAB fall within the calibration range prepared for the analysis.
14.1 Smoke the cigarette test samples and collect the TPM as specified in ISO 4387 [2.2] or in WHO TobLabNet SOP 01 [2.3].
14.2 Include at least one reference test sample to be used for quality control, if applicable.
14.3 When testing sample types for the first time, breakthrough should be evaluated. The number of cigarettes might have to be adjusted to prevent breakthrough of the filter pad. If the TPM exceeds 600 mg for a 92-mm filter pad or 150 mg for a 44-mm filter pad, the number of cigarettes smoked onto each pad must be decreased.
14.4 The number of cigarettes to be smoked per result for linear and rotary smoking machines at ISO and intense smoking regimens are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Number of cigarettes to be smoked for one measurement in linear and rotary smoking machines
ISO smoking regimen Intense smoking regimen Linear Rotary Linear Rotary
No. of cigarettes per pad (n) 5 20 3 10
No. of pads per result 4 1 7 2
14.5 Record the number of cigarettes and total puffs for each filter pad.
14.6 After smoking the required number of test samples, perform five clearing puffs, and remove the pad holder from the smoking machine.
15 SAMPLE PREPARATION 15.1 Extraction of filter pads
15.1.1 Remove the pads from the holders. Fold each pad loosely in half and then in half again, with the TPM on the inside. Use the side opposite to that on which TPM is collected to wipe the inner surface of the pad holder, thus including any particulate matter that may have been left in the holder. Place each filter pad in a 60-mL amber bottle or equivalent.
15.1.2 Spike each pad with the TSNA mixed internal standard solution (10.1.2) containing isotope-labelled TSNA (200 μL for a 44-mm pad, 500 μl for a 92-mm pad).
15.1.3 Pipette 100 mmol/L aqueous ammonium acetate extraction solution (20 mL for 44-mm pads, 50 mL for 92-mm pads) into the amber bottle.
15.1.4 Using a wrist-action or circular shaker or equivalent device, extract the TSNAs from the pad by shaking at 250 rpm for 30 min.
15.1.5 Remove aliquots (e.g. 1–2 mL) of the extract, filter the aliquots with at most 0.45 μm membrane filter, and place in an autosampler vial.
16 SAMPLE ANALYSIS
This method for quantifying TSNAs in mainstream cigarette smoke involves HPLC coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The analytes are resolved from other potential interfering substances on an HPLC column. Further selectivity is obtained by use of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization, in MS-MS mode. Comparison of the area ratio (native analyte area to isotope-labelled analyte area) of the unknowns with the area ratio (native analyte area to isotope-labelled analyte area) of the known standard concentrations yields the concentrations of individual analytes.
16.1 HPLC and mass spectrometer operating conditions HPLC operating conditions: example
HPLC column: Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 (2.1 150 mm, 3.5-μm particle size) or equivalent
Injection volume: 5 μL
Column oven temperature: 40 ± 1 C (Alter as appropriate for the column used.)
Degasser: On
Binary pump flow: 0.2 mL/min
Mobile phase A: 0.1 % acetic acid in water Mobile phase B: 0.1 % acetic acid in methanol
Gradient: Shown in Table 3
Total analysis time: 12 min
Table 3. HPLC gradients for TSNA separation
Time (min) Flow (μL/min) Mobile phase A (%) Mobile phase B (%)
0 200 50 50
3.0 200 10 90
4.0 200 0 100
5.0 200 0 100
5.5 200 50 50
12.0 200 50 50
Mass spectrometer operating conditions
Dwell time: 40 ms
Ionization / mode: Electrospray ionization source / positive ion mode
Ionspray voltage: 1500 V
TurboIonspray temperature: 450 °C
Curtain gas: Nitrogen
Collision-induced dissociation gas: Nitrogen
Nebulizing gas: Nitrogen
Note: The operating parameters may have to be adjusted, depending on the instrument and column conditions and the resolution of the chromatographic peaks.
Quantification and confirmation ion transitions for NNN, NNK, NAT and NAB are shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Quantifi cation and confi rmation ion pairs for each TSNA
Analyte Ion pair Q1/Q3
(m/z)
NNN:Quantifi cation 178/148
NNN: Confi rmation 178/120
NNN-d4 182/152
NNK:Quantifi cation 208/122
NNK: Confi rmation 208/106
NNK-d4 212/126
NAT:Quantifi cation 190/160
NAT: Confi rmation 190/106
NAT-d4 194/164
NAB:Quantifi cation 192/162
NAB: Confi rmation 192/133
NAB-d4 196/166
Note: The confirmation ion ratio can be a useful guide for determining individual analyte integrity.
16.2 Expected retention times
16.2.1 For the conditions described here, the expected sequence of elution will be NNN, NNN-d4, NNK, NNK-d4, NAT, NAT-d4, NAB, NAB-d4.
16.2.2 Differences in e.g. flow rate, mobile phase concentration and age of the column can be expected to alter retention times.
16.3 Determination of TSNAs
The sequence of determination will be in accordance with individual laboratory practice. This section gives an example of a sequence of determination for TSNAs.
16.3.1 Inject a blank solution (extraction solution minus labelled internal standards(s)) to check for any contamination in the system or reagents.
16.3.2 Inject the blank solution (blank with labelled internal standards(s)) to verify the performance of the HPLC-MS- MS system.
16.3.3 Inject the calibration standards, quality control and samples.
16.3.4 Record the peak areas of each TSNA and the internal standard(s).
16.3.5 Calculate the relative response ratio (RF) of the peak to the internal standard peak (RF = ATSNA / AIS) for each of the component standard solutions for each TSNA, including the standard blanks.
16.3.6 Plot the graph of the concentration of each TSNA (X axis) in accordance with the area ratios (Y axis).
16.3.7 The intercept should not be statistically significantly different from zero.
16.3.8 The standard curve should be linear over the entire standard range.
16.3.9 Calculate the linear regression (Y = a + bx) from these data, and use both the slope (b) and the intercept (a) of the linear regression. If the linear regression R2 is less than 0.99, the calibration should be repeated. If an individual calibration point differs by more than 10% from the expected value (estimated by linear regression), the point should be omitted.
16.3.10 Inject the quality controls and samples, and determine peak areas with the appropriate software.
16.3.11 The peak ratio obtained for all test portions must fall within the working range of the calibration curve; otherwise, the standard solutions or test portions concentrations should be adjusted.
See Annex 1 for representative chromatograms.
17 DATA ANALYSIS AND CALCULATIONS
The slope and intercept are determined from the relative responses of the analyte and the labelled standard versus the relative concentrations of the analyte and the labelled standard.
17.1 Calculate the relative response ratio from the peak areas for each of the TSNAs for each of the calibration standards (10.2.3):
RF A A
a IS
= where
RF is the relative response ratio, Aa is the area of the target analyte
A is the area of the corresponding internal standard.
Plot a graph of the relative response factor, Aa/AIS, (Y axis) versus concentration (X axis) for each TSNA. Calculate the linear regression (Y = a + bX) from these data, and use both the slope (b) and the intercept (a) of the linear regression.
17.2 The standard curve should be linear over the entire standard range.
17.3 The content Mts of a given TSNA of the target analyte (ng/cigarette) is determined from the calculated relative response ratio for the test portion, the slope and intercept obtained from the appropriate calibration curve, and the equation:
M b
V
ts = Y − a × n
where
Mts is the calculated content in nanogram per cigarette, Y is the relative response ratio (Aa/AIS)
a is the intercept of the linear regression obtained from the standard calibration curve
b is the slope of the linear regression obtained from the standard calibration curve
V is the volume of extraction solution 20mL for 44mm Cambridge Filter Pad used or 50mL for 92 mm Cambridge Filter Pad used.
n is the number of cigarettes smoked on to each pad (refer to Table 2) Alternative calculation procedures may be used if applicable.
18 SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
18.1 After installing a new column, condition it as specified by the manufacturer by injecting a tobacco sample extract under the specified instrument conditions. Injections should be repeated until the peak areas (or heights) for each TSNA and the internal standards are reproducible.
19 DATA REPORTING
19.1 Report individual measurements for each sample evaluated.
19.2 Report results as ng/cigarette or as required.
20 QUALITY CONTROL 20.1 Control parameters
Note: If the control measurements are outside the tolerance limits of the expected values, appropriate investigation and action must be taken.
Note: Additional laboratory quality assurance procedures should be carried out if necessary in order to comply with the policies of individual laboratories.
20.2 Laboratory reagent blank
To detect potential contamination during sample preparation and analysis, include a laboratory reagent blank, as described in 16.3.2. The blank consists of all reagents and materials used in
analysing test samples and is analysed like a test sample. The blank should be assessed in accordance with the practices of individual laboratories.
20.3 Quality control sample
To verify the consistency of the entire analytical process, analyse a reference cigarette (or an appropriate quality control sample) in accordance with the practices of individual laboratories.
20.4 A new calibration curve is made after every 20 runs (20 sample extracts).
21 METHOD PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS 21.1 Limit of reporting
The limit of reporting is set to the lowest concentration of the calibration standards used, recalculated to ng/cigarette (e.g.
20 ng/cigarette corresponds to the lowest calibration standard concentration of 0.5 ng/mL).
21.2 Laboratory-fortified matrix recovery
Recovery of analyte spiked onto the matrix is used as a surrogate measure of accuracy. Recovery is determined by spiking known amounts of standards (after smoking) onto a filter pad with cigarette smoke and extracting the pad by the same method as used for samples. Unspiked pads are also analysed. The recovery is calculated from the following equation and is shown in Table 5:
Recovery = 100 (analytical result – unspiked result/spiked amount)
Table 5. Mean and recovery of TSNAs spiked onto the matrix Spiked
amount (ng)
NNN NNK NAT NAB
Mean (ng) Recovery (%) Mean (ng) Recovery (%) Mean (ng) Recovery (%) Mean (ng) Recovery (%)
150 146.3 97.5 145.3 96.8 161.3 107.5 149.1 99.4
500 452.8 90.6 473.8 94.8 516.5 103.3 509.4 101.9
1000 962.5 96.3 973.8 97.4 1015.8 101.6 1001.1 100.1
21.3 Analytical specificity
LC–MS-MS provides excellent analytical specificity. The retention time and confirmation ion ratio, an established range of ratios of the response of the quantification ion to that of the confirmation ion and quality control samples, are used to verify the specificity of the results for an unknown sample.
21.4 Linearity
The TSNA calibration curves established are linear over the standard concentration range of 0.5–200 ng/mL.
21.5 Possible interference
No known components have both similar retention time and the same confirmation ion pair ratio as TSNAs or internal standards.
22 REPEATABILITY AND REPRODUCIBILITY
An international collaborative study [2.8] conducted between 2009 and 2012, involving nine laboratories and three reference cigarettes (1R5F;
3R4F and CM6) and two commercial brands, gave the precision limits for this method indicated in Table 6,7,8, and 9 below.
The difference between two single results found for matched cigarette samples by the same operator using the same apparatus within the shortest feasible time will exceed the repeatability, r, on average not more than once in 20 cases in the normal, correct operation of the method.
Single results for matched cigarette samples reported by two laboratories will differ by more than the reproducibility, R, on average not more than once in 20 cases with normal, correct application of the method.
The test results were analysed statistically in accordance with ISO 5725- 1 [2.9] and ISO 5725-2 [2.10] to give the precision data shown in Tables 6–9.
For the purpose of calculating r and R, one test result under ISO smoking conditions was defined as the average of seven individual replicates of the mean yield of four Cambridge filter pads (five cigarettes smoked per pad) from linear smoking machines and one Cambridge filter pad (20 cigarettes smoked per pad) from rotary smoking machines. Under intense smoking conditions, one test result was defined as the average of seven replicates of the mean yield of seven Cambridge filter pads (three cigarettes smoked per pad) from linear smoking machines and two Cambridge filter pads (10 cigarettes smoked per pad) from rotary smoking machines. For more information, see reference [2.8].
Note: The levels of TSNAs in the commercial brands were within the range of those in the reference test cigarettes and therefore not reported in this table.
Table 6. Precision limits for determination of NNN (ng/cigarette) in mainstream cigarette smoke from reference cigarettes Reference
cigarette
ISO smoking regimen Intense smoking regimen
N mcig rlimit Rlimit N mcig rlimit Rlimit
1R5F 9 45.55 6.15 11.22 9 256.72 23.44 53.37 3R4F 9 113.76 12.24 20.02 9 302.24 26.94 60.77
CM6 8 21.02 3.97 8.05 8 40.26 6.77 18.18
Table 7. Precision limits for determination of NNK (ng/cigarette) in mainstream cigarette smoke from reference cigarettes Reference
cigarette ISO smoking regimen Intense smoking regimen
N mcig rlimit Rlimit N mcig rlimit Rlimit
1R5F 8 23.31 6.17 11.90 9 128.28 21.23 49.05 3R4F 8 95.81 12.65 33.78 9 259.25 34.27 84.70 CM6 9 28.47 6.63 13.46 9 55.91 14.03 29.35
Table 9. Precision limits for determination of NAB (ng/cigarette) in mainstream cigarette smoke from reference cigarettes Reference
cigarette
ISO smoking regimen Intense smoking regimen
N mcig rlimit Rlimit N mcig rlimit Rlimit
1R5F 6 12.85 1.87 3.46 6 31.95 5.65 10.38
3R4F 6 6.36 1.87 2.12 6 29.48 3.49 7.62
CM6 7 4.67 1.55 6.21 7 8.98 2.88 10.93
Table 8. Precision limits for determination of NAT (ng/cigarette) in mainstream cigarette smoke from reference cigarettes Reference
cigarette
ISO smoking regimen Intense smoking regimen
N mcig rlimit Rlimit N mcig rlimit Rlimit
1R5F 7 102.43 11.52 48.66 7 264.63 24.41 129.21 3R4F 6 39.7 6.95 12.97 7 225.58 19.36 116.45
CM6 7 32.03 4.45 15.41 7 62.48 8.84 30.59
where
1R5F, 3R4F and CM6 are three reference cigarettes analysed in this study ng is nanogram
N is the number of laboratories participated mcig is the mean value of respective nitorsamine
rlimit is the repeatability limit of the respective introsamine Rlimit is the reproducibility limit of the respective introsamine
23 Test report
The following information shall be included in the test report:
(a) A reference to this method i.e. WHO TobLabNet SOP 03 (b) Date of receipt of the sample
(c) The result and its units
1 Derived from an international collaborative study conducted in 2009 and provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information only.
Annex 1. Typical chromatograms obtained in the d etermination of tobacco-specifi c n itrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke
Time (min)
0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4.0 4.4 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 x 10
3Intensity (cps) NAB (2.885)
NA T (2.794)
NNN (2.25) NNK (2.552)
Figure 1. Representative chromatogram of standard 21
1 Derived from an international collaborative study conducted in 2009 and provided by the Centers for Disease Control and
Time (min)
0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4.0 4.4 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 x 10
4Intensity (cps) NAB (2.915) NA T (2.794)
NNN (2.26) NNK (2.562)
Figure 2. Representative chromatogram of TSNAs in cigarette mainstream smoke1
