Overview
ISO 23906-2:2023 specifies a laboratory method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in the total particulate matter (TPM) of cigarette mainstream smoke generated under an intense machine smoking regime. The method uses gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for analysis and cyclohexane as the extraction solvent. Procedures are aligned with the ISO 20778 smoking parameters and ISO 20779 collection methods. Part 2 (this document) provides a cyclohexane extraction and solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up alternative to ISO 23906-1 (methanol-based clean-up).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and intent: Determination of B[a]P in cigarette mainstream smoke TPM under an intense smoking regime; not a measure of human exposure or risk.
- Sampling & conditioning: Follows ISO 8243 (sampling) and ISO 3402 (conditioning).
- Machine smoking & collection: Uses ISO 20778 and ISO 20779 routines for smoking and TPM capture on glass-fibre filter pads (44 mm and 92 mm sizes; TPM capacity guidance provided).
- Extraction & clean-up: Extraction of filter pads with cyclohexane, followed by SPE (NH-bonded silica cartridges recommended) for sample clean-up.
- Analytical instrumentation: GC/MS with single ion monitoring (SIM) and splitless injections; example column: 50% phenyl/50% methyl polysiloxane, 30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm.
- Standards & calibration: Detailed preparation of internal standard (B[a]P-d12) and B[a]P stock/working solutions (e.g., 100 μg/ml primary stocks, 40 ng/ml spiking solution), calibration across relevant concentration ranges, and storage guidance (stable up to ~4 months at ≤4 °C).
- Quality & reporting: Procedures for calibration, calculation, repeatability/reproducibility assessment, blank controls, and required test-report elements.
Applications
- Regulatory and compliance testing of cigarette emissions for B[a]P content.
- Product characterization and comparative analysis of mainstream smoke polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- Analytical method implementation in tobacco testing laboratories implementing GC/MS, SPE, and standardized smoking regimes.
Note: The standard highlights that machine-derived emissions are inputs for product hazard assessment but are not measures of human exposure or risk.
Who should use this standard
- Analytical chemists in tobacco product testing laboratories
- Regulatory agencies and conformity-assessment bodies
- Tobacco manufacturers and contract testing labs
- Quality assurance personnel implementing ISO smoking regimes and GC/MS analyses
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 23906-2:2023, benzo[a]pyrene, B[a]P, cigarette mainstream smoke, GC/MS, cyclohexane, SPE, ISO 20778, TPM, smoking regime.