Nicotine dosimetry and stability in cambridge filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regime protocols and storage conditions

Despite the growing numbers of studies on cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery products (ENDs), no standard assessment of nicotine stability in various matrix post exposure is currently available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the optimal standard condition to store Cambridge Filter Pads (CFPs) before chemical analysis in order to guarantee the titer of nicotine.We further performed data normalization according to different smoking or vaping runs. Smoke and vapor generated respectively by a reference tobacco cigarette (1R6F) and ENDs under different exposure regimes (ISO, HCI and CRM81) were collected on CFPs as total particulate matter (TPM) and subsequently analyzed for nicotine content. For each exposure, some CFPs were analyzed at time zero, whereas the others were stored under different conditions for nicotine assessment after 30 days. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed the best correlation between nicotine on CFPs and TPM for normalization. This study suggests that different exposure regimes and products can affect the preservation of nicotine titer on CFPs while samples storage at −80 °C may prevent the loss of nicotine. Finally, normalization of nicotine with TPM is strongly recommended for regulatory purpose. [Display omitted] •Multicenter studies are warranted to clarify toxicological effects of ENDs.•In multicenter studies interlaboratory reproducibility of exposure systems is critical.•TPM and nicotine in CFPs can be useful to demonstrate interlaboratory reproducibility.•Nicotine amount in CFPs is affected by different exposure regimes and source.•Refrigerated storage at −80 °C avoids nicotine degradation in CFPs up to 30 days.