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New filter material can reduce the number of cigarette deaths

December 07, 2000

Using a new filter material of a network shaped polymer in filter cigarettes can significantly reduce the amount of tar and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the mainstream tobacco smoke. This is the conclusion of comparative experimental research carried out by Prof.Dr. Wim Rulkens and Dr. Hans Brons, Environmental Technologists at Wageningen University (WU) in the Netherlands. Depending on the amount of filter material used the new filter reduces the amount of tar two to seven times, as compared with the commonly used cellulose acetate filter. The reduction in PAHs is even three to fifteen times. According to lung specialist dr. Geertjan Wesseling and the epidemiologists Dr. Gerard Swaen and Drs. Fons Kessels of the Maastricht Academic Hospital/Maastricht University (AZM/UM) the introduction of the new filter material would account for a substantial reduce the risk of lung diseases. Based on epidemiological data it is estimated that the smoking related mortality in the Netherlands could be reduced by a number of 3000 to 5000 annually.

This is concluded in a research report, which will be presented at a press meeting in Maastricht on Friday December 8th. The researchers call upon the tobacco industry and the government to support further research regarding the applicability of the new filter material in cigarettes and the possible consequences on public health. Worldwide tobacco smoking is the major avoidable cause of diseases and mortality. Any measure that reduces the damage of smoking will have a large impact on public health and the costs of health care.

Against this background the Subdepartment of Environmental Technology of Wageningen University has conducted research on the new type of filter material after pilot experiments indicated that the material could remove tar and PAHs very successfully from mainstream tobacco smoke. Firstly the behaviour of the new filter material under different smoking conditions was investigated. Prof.Dr. Ger Challa (professor emeritus polymer chemistry of Groningen University) advised on the development of the filter material. The Subdepartment Toxicology of Wageningen University (Prof.Dr. Jan Koeman, Dr. Tinka Murk and Timo Hamers) have studied the toxicity of the smoke passing through the filter as well as the background toxicity of the filter itself. Research has also been conducted into two aspects related tot smoking experience: the amount of nicotine that passes the filter and the filter pressure drop. Researchers of Maastricht Academic Hospital have then assessed the possible health consequences of the introduction of this new filter material. Based on their results it is concluded that the application of the new filter material in cigarettes is very interesting. Further research is needed to fully assess the future application of this material.

Wageningen University and Research Centre

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