Analysis of Chemical Constituents and HPHCs in Waterpipe Tobacco, Charcoal, Wastewater

Principal Investigator: Quintella Bester and Ronald Edwards

Funding Mechanism: Research Contract

ID number:  HHSF223201600607A

Award Date: 9/15/2016

Institution: Battelle Memorial Institute

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The goal of this study is to characterize and quantify chemical constituents in unheated waterpipe (WP) tobacco, unburned WP charcoal, heated WP tobacco, burned WP charcoal, and WP wastewater, specifically related to the use of quick light charcoal. Study aims are: (1) to conduct a lab analysis of ten different WP tobacco products, five different WP charcoal products, and WP wastewater; (2) to characterize and quantify the different chemical constituents and harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) for both unheated and heated WP tobacco; (3) to characterize and quantify the different chemical constituents and HPHCs for both unburned and burned WP charcoal; (4) to understand the filtering effect of WP wastewater for WP tobacco and charcoal chemical constituents and HPHCs; and (5) to determine whether these constituents and HPHCs affect public health and/or the environment. Study findings will provide data about the constituents of WP tobacco, charcoal, and wastewater, and may provide new information about potential environmental harm.