Overview
ISO 22253:2019 specifies a gas‑chromatographic method for the determination of nicotine in total particulate matter (TPM) collected from mainstream cigarette smoke using an intense smoking regime. The standard details sample preparation, chromatographic conditions, calibration, calculation and reporting so laboratories can generate repeatable, comparable nicotine emission data from machine‑smoked cigarettes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Quantitative GC determination of nicotine in TPM produced under the intense smoking regime (see ISO 20779 for TPM generation).
- Sample preparation: TPM dissolved in propan‑2‑ol (isopropanol) containing an internal standard; typical extraction volumes: 20 ml for 44 mm discs and 50 ml for 92 mm discs (adjustable to match calibration range).
- Reagents & standards:
- Extraction solvent: propan‑2‑ol with internal standard (0.2–0.5 mg/ml).
- Reference nicotine (≥98 % purity) or nicotine salicylate.
- Internal standards: n‑heptadecane or quinaldine (≥99 %), with alternatives permitted after assessment.
- Chromatographic system:
- Gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (FID).
- Column: 2–4 mm ID (glass or deactivated metal), preferred phase described in the standard.
- Typical operating conditions given (isothermal column ~170 °C; injection 250 °C; detector 250 °C; carrier gas He/N2/H2 ~30 ml/min; injection 2 µl).
- Calibration & quality control:
- At least four calibration solutions over expected concentration range (≈0.02–2.0 mg/ml).
- Full calibration performed daily; intermediate standard checked after ~20 samples (3 % tolerance).
- Results expression: Calculate nicotine in mg per cigarette. Single results to 0.01 mg, averages to 0.1 mg.
- Safety & limitations: Standard includes safety warnings and notes that machine smoking measurements do not equate to human exposure or risk.
Applications and users
- Regulatory and compliance testing of tobacco products
- Tobacco‑product manufacturers for product characterization and QC
- Analytical laboratories conducting smoke constituent testing
- Research institutions studying cigarette emissions and formulation effects
Practical value: ISO 22253 provides a validated, harmonized GC procedure enabling consistent nicotine emission data for design, regulatory reporting and comparative studies.
Related standards
- ISO 20779 - Generation and collection of TPM using an analytical smoking machine with an intense smoking regime
- ISO 3308 - Standard smoking regime (background on smoking machine parameters)
- ISO 13276 - Purity verification methods (referenced for nicotine)
- ISO/TR 19478 series - Collaborative studies informing method development
Keywords: ISO 22253:2019, nicotine determination, gas‑chromatographic method, total particulate matter, intense smoking regime, cigarette smoke analysis, FID, internal standard.
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