A method for cancer elemental risk assessments in hookah: An example in two common types of traditional and flavored tobaccos in Iran

AIMThis study aimed to compare the elemental composition of traditional and flavored hookah tobacco, with a focus on heavy metals.METHODSWe used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze the concentrations of 29 elements in the raw tobacco, tobacco ash, hookah water after smoking, and tobacco smoke.RESULTSThe results showed that the traditional tobacco had significantly higher metal concentrations than the flavored tobacco in all samples. Most of the toxic metals (more than 98 %) remained in the smoke of both types of tobacco. The tobacco and hookah smoke contained high levels of harmful metals that can pose health risks to hookah users.•ICP-MS provides a comprehensive analysis of multiple elements simultaneously and it allows for precise quantification of metal concentrations in different samples.•ICP-MS requires specialized equipment and trained personnel and it may not detect elements present in extremely low concentrations.