Development and application of a novel simultaneous measurement method for 3-ethenylpyridine and nicotine in air using alkaline-coated cartridge

A precise measurement method for 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP) and nicotine by using an alkaline-coated cartridge was developed. The amounts of 3-EP and nicotine recovered from the spiked cartridge were more than 80% during air-sampling time of 12 hr. The detection limits of 3-EP and nicotine by this method for an air volume of 72 L were 0.08 μg/m3 and 0.10 μg/m3, respectively. In a smoking room, the concentration of 3-EP was found to be 0.85-5.4 μg/m3, and that of nicotine, 6.0-34.1 μg/m3; moreover, the 3-EP/nicotine ratio was found to be 0.14±0.03. In the smoking room, the concentration of 3-EP was significantly correlated with that of nicotine (correlation coefficient, 0.94). Side-stream smoke was collected in a Tedlar® Bag, and changes in the concentrations of 3-EP and nicotine during 4 hours were monitored. The 3-EP/nicotine ratio in the side-stream smoke increased with progress in time; at the start of the measurement, this ratio was 0.13, and 4 hours later, it was 1.02. The Tedlar® Bag film was cut, and the concentration of 3-EP and nicotine on the film surface as well as in the air contained in the bag were measured; nicotine was found to be more adherent than 3-EP. Therefore, it was considered that increase in the 3-EP/nicotine ratio with progress in time was caused by a rapid decrease in nicotine concentration in the air that was attributable to easy adherence of nicotine to the film surface.