ISO 20779:2018

Overview

ISO 20779:2018 specifies a laboratory method for the generation and collection of total particulate matter (TPM) from cigarette mainstream smoke using a routine analytical smoking machine operated with an intense smoking regime. The standard covers sampling, cigarette preparation, apparatus, smoking runs, collection on glass-fibre filter traps, and gravimetric determination of TPM mass. It clarifies that TPM results can be influenced by machine type (e.g., incomplete collection or evaporation of water/volatile compounds) and that the method is not applicable for certain determinations of water or nicotine‑free dry particulate matter when using the extraction procedure referenced in ISO 4387:2000 (see scope).

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope and limitations: Method for TPM generation/collection under an intense smoking regime; excludes specific water or nicotine‑free dry particulate determinations done via certain extraction procedures.
• Apparatus: Requirements include a routine analytical cigarette‑smoking machine conforming to ISO 20778, glass‑fibre smoke traps, an analytical balance (readability 0.1 mg), soap‑bubble flow meter (55 ml graduated, ±0.6 ml, 0.2 ml resolution), conditioning enclosure per ISO 3402, and modified cigarette holders for intense smoking.
• Sampling & preparation: Laboratory sampling per ISO 8243. Guidance on selecting test portions, conditioning cigarettes, marking butt length, and sealing filter ventilation holes.
• Smoking procedure: Defined smoking plans and machine setup, with simultaneous collection of TPM on filter traps and controls using monitor test pieces (ISO 16055) to ensure consistency.
• Measurement: TPM mass is typically determined gravimetrically; TPM can be extracted for subsequent constituent analysis. The document includes tolerance and replication guidance (e.g., multipliers for selecting extra cigarettes and recommended sample sizes).
• Quality controls: Use of monitor test pieces and specified pre‑run checks to control repeatability and inter‑laboratory comparability.

Applications and Users

• Laboratories in the tobacco industry for product characterization and quality control.
• Regulatory bodies and public‑health laboratories conducting emissions testing under an intense smoking regime.
• Academic and contract research organizations performing comparative or analytical studies of cigarette smoke constituents.
• Useful for product design evaluation, emissions profiling, inter‑laboratory studies, and as input data for hazard assessment (with caution: machine results do not equal human exposure or risk).

Related Standards

• ISO 20778 - definitions and standard conditions for an intense smoking regime (machine requirements)
• ISO 4387 - determination of total and nicotine‑free dry particulate matter
• ISO 3308 - standard smoking regime description
• ISO 3402 - conditioning atmosphere
• ISO 8243 - sampling of cigarettes
• ISO 2971 - diameter measurement of cigarettes
• ISO 10362-1 / ISO 10362-2 - water measurement procedures

Keywords: ISO 20779:2018, TPM, total particulate matter, cigarettes, analytical smoking machine, intense smoking regime, smoke trap, gravimetric determination, tobacco testing.