Overview
ISO 18144:2003 specifies a laboratory and field method to estimate the contribution of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) to respirable suspended particles (RSP) using the tobacco‑specific marker solanesol. The standard covers sampling (personal and area), sample preparation, HPLC analysis, calculation of ETS‑derived particulate matter (Sol‑PM) and quality assurance measures. The method is designed to be compatible with gravimetric RSP measurements and other particulate ETS markers (UVPM and FPM).
Key topics and requirements
- Scope & Definitions
- ETS: mixture of exhaled mainstream and sidestream smoke.
- RSP: particles collected with a size‑selective device having a median cut point at 4.0 µm (see ISO 7708).
- Sol‑PM: RSP fraction attributable to tobacco smoke estimated from solanesol.
- Sampling
- Use an inertial impactor or cyclone (4.0 µm cut point) and a PTFE membrane filter (1.0 µm pore) for RSP collection.
- Personal and area sampling are both supported; pump calibration before and after sampling is required.
- Analytical principle
- Extract solanesol from the filter with methanol.
- Quantify by HPLC with UV detection (205 nm) against prepared solanesol standards.
- Calculate airborne solanesol (µg/m3) and convert to ETS‑PM using the established solanesol:RSP mass ratio (solanesol ≈ 3% of ETS RSP by mass).
- Performance & detection
- Example detection limits at 2 L/min: LOD/LOQ for 1 h sampling ≈ 0.042/0.139 µg/m3; for 8 h ≈ 0.005/0.017 µg/m3.
- Quality assurance
- Calibration of pumps/flowmeters, use of blanks/standards, laboratory performance criteria, repeatability and reproducibility requirements, and documentation of test reports.
Applications and users
- Practical uses:
- Quantifying tobacco‑smoke contribution to indoor air particulate pollution.
- Occupational hygiene exposure assessments in workplaces and hospitality venues.
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) surveys for public health studies, building assessments and policy evaluation.
- Research comparing ETS markers (solanesol vs UVPM/FPM) and apportioning sources of PM.
- Typical users:
- Environmental and analytical laboratories, occupational hygienists, public health agencies, academic researchers, regulatory bodies and consultants conducting IAQ and ETS exposure assessments.
Related standards
- ISO 15593 - Gravimetric RSP, UVPM and FPM determinations (compatible methods).
- ISO 7708 - Particle size definitions for sampling.
- ISO 648, ISO 1042 - Laboratory glassware specifications (referenced for standard preparation).
Keywords: ISO 18144, solanesol, environmental tobacco smoke, ETS, respirable suspended particles, RSP, air sampling method, HPLC, indoor air quality.