Estimation of Copper Content in Smoked Tobacco, Smokeless Tobacco, and Areca-based Products: A Cross-sectional Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Study from India
Deepika Lakshmi Radhakrishnan, Sandhya Sundar, Deepak PandiarAbstract
Context:
Tobacco consumption is one of the major preventable causes of mortality and a significant contributing factor for the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders. Apart from nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines, there are chances of the presence of heavy metals in tobacco and areca-nut products used by individuals during the process of cultivation, processing, and storage of the products. Copper is an essential trace element that has shown prooxidant, fibrogenic, and carcinogenic properties.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the copper content in commercially available smoked tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and areca-based products in India using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Settings and Design:
This was a cross-sectional analytical study.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 10 smoked tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and areca-based products that are widely used by individuals in India were selected from local markets. Microwave-assisted acid digestion followed by ICP-MS was used to determine the concentration of copper present in the selected tobacco and areca-nut products.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Descriptive statistics.
Results:
Copper was present in all the products, with a mean copper level of 11.69 ± 3.93 mg/kg (ranging from 5.28 to 20.04 mg/kg). Cigarettes contained the highest amount of copper (20.04 mg/kg). Smoking products had a significantly higher mean copper content than smokeless products.
Conclusion:
Copper was present in all the commercially available tobacco and areca-based products in India. Even though this study provides an indication of the source of chronic exposure to copper, it does not directly assess the health effects of this exposure. It is important to monitor the copper content of smoking and smokeless products and conduct further analytical and clinical studies to determine the effects of this exposure on public health.