Nano to micron-size combustion particles in smokers’ homes: Magnetic properties of tobacco and cigarette ashes

Cigarette emission comprises high-temperature combustion processes producing diverse harmful compounds, gases, and particulate matter that are spread through the air and can be taken by smokers and passive smokers involuntarily. We determined the magnetic properties of tobacco cigarettes from six commercial brands. We also monitored the emission of particulate matter in some smokers’ homes using low-cost sensors and the PM2.5 dataset was studied through a time series analysis. In addition, compositional, morphological, and magnetic properties of cigarette ashes were studied and compared with available data. Unexpected positive mean values of specific magnetic susceptibility (χ = 3.7 × 10−8 m3kg−1) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM = 0.6×10−3 Am2kg−1) of tobacco cigarettes indicate the presence of “magnetic condiments” in this unburned material. In contrast, as a consequence of puff and smoldering burn, a magnetic increase of up to 35-fold the reference values of unburned material evidence an important neoformation of airborne tobacco-derived magnetic particle ToMP. Mixtures of these ToMPs with different sizes, from nano to micron-sized, comprise superparamagnetic SP, single-domain SD, and multidomain MD particles. This work provides new accurate information on specific tobacco product ingredients (not declared) and the unnoticed ToMP emission after smoking habits, which are needed for tobacco products, consumers and passive smokers (including vulnerable children) exposed to second-hand smoke. ToMPs and myriad other toxicants may be inhaled, escape from the inhalation system and penetrate biological barriers leading to long-term human health risks. [Display omitted] •Minor amounts of nano-sized magnetic particles are added to tobacco and detected.•Airborne magnetic particles are produced by high-temperature processes after smoking.•Indoor PM2.5 can be monitored with low-cost sensors and studied through a time series analysis.•Magnetic susceptibility increases 30-fold the reference values after puff and smoldering burn.•Tobacco-derived magnetic particles are inhalable with implications on health impacts.