Determinação do teor de metais em filtro de cigarros tradicionais com emprego da técnica de espectroscopia de absorção atômica por chama (FAAS)

Abstract

Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The chemical composition of cigarettes includes various organic and inorganic substances. Metals are commonly found in cigarettes, and their levels can contribute to the increased incidence of smoking-related diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the optimization of the employed digestion methodology and to quantify the levels of Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb in post-burn cigarette filter samples, comparing them with results obtained in other scientific studies. Samples of cigarette filter from three different brands, identified as C, D, R, and D* (unburned filter), were acquired from users. After drying, the samples were ground and subjected to acid digestion in a digestion block. Metal analysis was performed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The average levels obtained for Mn, Fe, Cu, and Cr were, respectively, 0,009±0,001; 0,14±0,04; 0,019±0,003 and 0,0030±0,0007 mg g-1. The increasing order of quantified metals in samples C, R, D was Fe>Cu>Mn>Cr, and for sample D*, Fe>Cu=Mn=Cr. It was not possible to quantify the levels of Cd and Pb due to the sensitivity of the employed instrumental technique. The results obtained resemble those found in cigarette filter samples from different nationalities, with only Cr and Fe deviating from the levels found in other studies. The Fe content was approximately 40 times higher compared to cigarette filters of Nigerian origin. Even in small quantities, the presence of metals indicates a health risk for both active and passive smokers.