Overview
ISO 23904:2020 specifies a validated analytical method for quantifying selected phenolic compounds in cigarette mainstream smoke using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC‑FLD) under an intense smoking regime (ISO 20778). The method targets hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, phenol, p‑cresol, m‑cresol and o‑cresol. Smoke is collected on a glass fibre (Cambridge) filter pad and extracted with 1 % acetic acid. The procedure is applicable to cigarettes with total particulate matter (TPM) yields between 20 mg/cigarette and 45 mg/cigarette.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Analytes: hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, phenol, p‑/m‑/o‑cresol.
- Sampling & conditioning: follow ISO 8243 (sampling) and ISO 3402 (conditioning).
- Smoking regime: intense smoking conditions as defined in ISO 20778 (equivalent to Health Canada T‑115 used in collaborative studies).
- Collection: mainstream smoke collected on a glass fibre (CFP) as per ISO 20779.
- Extraction: CFP extracted with 1 % acetic acid solution; filtered and diluted for analysis.
- Chromatography: reversed‑phase HPLC with fluorescence detection; recommended pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFP) stationary phase and a guard cartridge.
- Calibration & standards: preparation of primary, secondary and working standards from certified reference materials; routine calibration and stability/storage guidance (refrigeration; short‑term stability noted in the method).
- Apparatus & reagents: routine analytical smoking machine (ISO 20778), binary gradient HPLC pump, autosampler, FLD, HPLC‑grade solvents and >99 % purity reference compounds.
- Quality: method includes repeatability and reproducibility data from interlaboratory studies and prescribes reporting requirements.
- Safety note: hazardous materials and equipment are involved; users must follow lab safety practices.
Applications and users
- Tobacco testing laboratories performing routine emissions analysis and QA/QC.
- Regulatory agencies and product assessment bodies that require standardized smoke constituent data.
- Research institutions studying smoke chemistry, pyrolysis products, or product design effects.
- Manufacturers validating product performance or comparing formulations within the TPM applicability range.
Note: ISO 23904:2020 provides machine‑measured emissions for characterization and regulatory inputs; it does not measure human exposure directly and should not be used alone to infer smoker exposure or risk.
Related standards
- ISO 20778 - routine analytical cigarette‑smoking machine (intense regime)
- ISO 20779 - generation and collection of total particulate matter (CFP)
- ISO 3402 - conditioning and testing atmosphere
- ISO 8243 - cigarette sampling
- ISO 5725 series - statistical evaluation (repeatability/reproducibility)
Keywords: ISO 23904:2020, phenolic compounds, HPLC‑FLD, cigarette mainstream smoke, ISO 20778, TPM, Cambridge filter pad, smoke analysis.
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