Cotton's Smoke Absorbing Properties: What You Need To Know

Cotton is a natural fibre that is commonly used in clothing and household fabrics such as pillows and curtains. It is known to be absorbent, but the question arises: does it absorb smoke pollutants? With the potential health risks associated with secondhand and third-hand smoke, understanding the role of cotton in absorbing or releasing smoke pollutants is crucial. Thirdhand smoke (THS) is the residue left by secondhand smoke, accumulating in indoor environments and persisting long after smoking has ceased. Cotton's ability to absorb and release smoke pollutants has been the subject of various studies, with conflicting results. While some research suggests that cotton can absorb significant amounts of nicotine and other smoke toxins, other studies indicate that cotton may also release these pollutants back into the air. The complex dynamics between cotton and smoke pollutants have important implications for the health of smokers and non-smokers alike.

Cotton pillows absorb nicotine from the homes of former smokers

Cotton pillows can be used to assess thirdhand smoke (THS) pollution in homes. THS is the residue left behind by secondhand smoke (SHS) that accumulates in indoor environments. THS chemicals can persist long after smoking has ceased and can re-emit semivolatile compounds back into the air.

A study placed organic cotton pillows in the homes of 8 former smokers for three weeks and measured how much nicotine was absorbed by the pillows. The pillows absorbed nicotine from the air, acting as a nicotine sponge. On average, the cotton pillows absorbed 21.5 μg of nicotine, with the nicotine concentration highest in the pillowcase, followed by the pillow fabric, and then the pillow filling. This demonstrates that cotton pillows can absorb significant amounts of nicotine emitted from THS reservoirs in the homes of former smokers.

The study also found that nicotine concentrations in the pillows differed depending on the components of the pillow. The nicotine concentration per gram of material was highest for the pillowcase, followed by the pillow fabric, and then the pillow filling. This indicates that the fabric and material of the pillow can impact the amount of nicotine absorbed.

Cotton pillows can provide a simple and unobtrusive method for researchers to examine tobacco smoke pollution in real-world settings. By placing cotton pillows in the homes of former smokers, researchers can measure the amount of nicotine that has been adsorbed to the pillows and gain insights into the level of THS pollution in the home. This can help inform policies and interventions to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke toxicants and protect the health of residents.

Additionally, understanding the dynamics of THS in fabrics can guide remediation policies and strategies. Different fabrics may require varied remediation approaches due to differences in their ability to absorb and release THS contaminants. For example, cotton and terry cloth have been found to release higher concentrations of nicotine than polyester and wool. Therefore, the choice of fabric in household furnishings can be a factor in mitigating the impact of THS pollution.

Cotton fabrics release higher concentrations of nicotine than polyester and wool

Cotton, a natural fibre of plant origin, has been shown to absorb and release higher concentrations of nicotine than polyester and wool, which are synthetic fibres. This is due to the chemical and physical properties of cotton, which make it more susceptible to absorbing and releasing nicotine and other smoke pollutants.

One study found that cotton pillows placed in the homes of former smokers absorbed on average 21.5 μg of nicotine over a three-week period. The nicotine concentration per gram of material was highest for the pillowcase, followed by the pillow fabric, and then the pillow filling. This demonstrates that cotton fabrics can absorb significant amounts of nicotine and other smoke pollutants, even in the absence of active smoking.

Another study exposed various fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and wool, to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in a controlled facility. The results showed that cotton off-gassed higher concentrations of chemicals with low molecular weight, such as formaldehyde, tetradecanoic acid, and n-hexadecanoic acid, than polyester and wool. Cotton also released higher concentrations of nicotine-specific chemicals, such as furfural, than polyester and wool.

The structure of the fabric also plays a role in the absorption and release of nicotine. For example, cotton typically used for polo shirts (knitted) off-gassed significantly higher concentrations of chemicals with a molecular weight of ~100 than other cottons of woven style. The dyeing of the fabric also had an impact, with lighter-coloured fabrics showing more pronounced effects from cigarette smoke exposure.

Furthermore, the adsorption and desorption of nicotine by fabrics are influenced by factors such as fabric type, heat, humidity, air velocity, temperature, and the volume and surface area of the fabric. For example, heating facilitated the release of nicotine from polyester and wool but did not have the same effect on cotton and terry cloth.

The release of nicotine from cotton fabrics has potential health implications. One study found that tritiated nicotine from contaminated cotton textiles penetrated through adult human full-thickness skin and caused significant concentration-dependent cytotoxicity on fibroblast viability and neurocyte structure. Zebrafish embryos exposed to smoke extracts from textiles also exhibited delayed development and high mortality rates.

In summary, cotton fabrics have been shown to release higher concentrations of nicotine than polyester and wool due to their chemical and physical properties, and this release of nicotine from cotton fabrics has potential health risks for humans.

Cotton clothing absorbs smoke pollutants, increasing dermal uptake of SVOCs

Cotton clothing absorbs smoke pollutants, which can increase the dermal uptake of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). This is concerning as SVOCs are known to have adverse health effects on both smokers and non-smokers.

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is the residue left behind by secondhand smoke (SHS) that accumulates in indoor environments. THS can persist long after smoking has ceased and can re-emit semivolatile compounds, such as nicotine, back into the air. Cotton has been shown to absorb significant amounts of nicotine emitted from THS, even in the absence of any active smoking. This is due to the porous nature of cotton, which has a large surface area that readily absorbs volatile compounds.

Studies have placed cotton pillows in the homes of former smokers and measured the amount of nicotine absorbed. On average, these pillows absorbed 21.5 μg of nicotine over a three-week period. The nicotine concentration was highest in the pillowcase, followed by the pillow fabric, and then the pillow filling. This demonstrates that cotton fabrics can store a substantial mass of tobacco smoke toxicants.

In addition to nicotine, other toxic compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and furfural have been found to be released from cotton fabrics exposed to cigarette smoke. The degree of nicotine and other toxicant absorption by cotton clothing can vary depending on factors such as fabric type, heat, humidity, and exposure time. For example, cotton has been shown to absorb more nicotine than polyester when exposed to smoke for 15 minutes, and the amount of nicotine absorbed increases with longer exposure times.

The absorption of smoke pollutants by cotton clothing can have significant implications for human health. When these pollutants are absorbed through the skin, it can increase the dermal uptake of SVOCs, potentially leading to adverse health effects. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with wearing cotton clothing that has been exposed to smoke pollutants.

Cotton fabrics turn yellow when exposed to cigarette smoke

Cotton is a natural fibre commonly used in clothing, and it is known to absorb and release various chemicals, including those found in cigarette smoke. Several studies have investigated the impact of cigarette smoke on cotton fabrics, and one of the observed effects is the discolouration of the fabric.

When exposed to cigarette smoke, cotton fabrics undergo a colour change, specifically a yellowing effect. This phenomenon is more pronounced on undyed cotton fabrics, and the degree of yellowing is more dominant on cotton compared to other fabrics like silk, wool, and polyester. The yellowing effect is also influenced by the shade of dyed fabrics, with lighter shades exhibiting a more noticeable colour alteration.

The nicotine present in cigarette smoke is a significant contributor to the yellowing of cotton fabrics. Nicotine has a higher affinity for natural fibres like cotton due to their polar functional groups, and it can become deeply embedded in the fibres. Over time, the nicotine accumulates and leads to the characteristic yellow discolouration. Additionally, the presence of other chemicals in cigarette smoke, such as tar and volatile organic compounds, can also contribute to the colour change.

The extent of yellowing is influenced by various factors, including the intensity of exposure, duration of exposure, and the type of cotton fabric. For example, knitted cotton, typically used for polo shirts, has been found to absorb and release higher concentrations of certain chemicals, resulting in more noticeable discolouration. The off-gassing of chemicals from the fabric can also be affected by factors like fabric structure, dyeing, and environmental conditions such as humidity.

While the yellowing effect on cotton fabrics due to cigarette smoke is aesthetically undesirable, it also serves as a visual indicator of the presence of harmful toxins. Cigarette smoke contains numerous toxic substances, and the discolouration of cotton fabrics highlights the potential health risks associated with exposure to these toxins. This is particularly relevant in indoor environments where thirdhand smoke, the residue left behind by secondhand smoke, can accumulate and persist on fabrics even after smoking has ceased.

Cotton pillows can be used to measure tobacco smoke pollution

Measuring tobacco smoke pollution in real-world settings can be technically complex, expensive, and intrusive. Cotton pillows can be used to measure tobacco smoke pollution in a simple, unobtrusive, and robust way.

Cotton is a natural fibre of plant origin that off-gasses higher concentrations of chemicals with low molecular weight. It has been found that cotton pillows absorb significant amounts of nicotine emitted from thirdhand smoke (THS) reservoirs in the homes of former smokers. THS is the residue left behind by secondhand smoke (SHS) that accumulates in indoor environments.

In a study, organic cotton pillows were placed in the homes of 8 former smokers for three weeks following the first week after they quit smoking. Nicotine concentrations were determined in the pillowcase, fabric, and cotton filling, using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The pillows in the homes of former smokers absorbed on average 21.5 μg of nicotine. The nicotine concentration was highest in the pillowcase, followed by the pillow fabric, and then the pillow filling.

Cotton pillows can be used as a tool to measure nicotine from THS sources and presumably SHS in home environments. This method could be of interest to researchers requiring robust and unobtrusive methods to examine tobacco smoke pollution in real-world settings.

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