Research report: Charcoal type used for hookah smoking influences CO production.
Abstract
A hookah smoker who was treated for severe carbon monoxide poisoning with hyperbaric
oxygen reported using a different type of charcoal prior to hospital admission, i.e.,
quick-light charcoal. This finding led to a study aimed at determining whether CO
production differs between charcoals commonly used for hookah smoking, natural and
quick-light. Our hypothesis was that quick-light charcoal produces significantly more
CO than natural charcoal. A medium-sized hookah, activated charcoal filter, calibrated
syringe, CO gas analyzer and infrared thermometer were assembled in series. A single
9-10 g briquette of either natural or quick-light charcoal was placed atop the hookah
bowl and ignited. CO output (ppm) and temperature (degrees C) were measured in three-minute
intervals over 90 minutes. The mean CO levels produced by quick-light charcoal over
90 minutes was significantly higher (3728 ± 2028) compared to natural charcoal (1730
± 501 ppm, p = 0.016). However, the temperature was significantly greater when burning
natural charcoal (292 ± 87) compared to quick-light charcoal (247 ± 92 degrees C,
p = 0.013). The high levels of CO produced when using quick-light charcoals may be
contributing to the increase in reported hospital admissions for severe CO poisoning.
Type
Journal articleSubject
HumansCarbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide
Charcoal
Equipment Design
Smoking
Middle Aged
Male
Hot Temperature
Chemical Phenomena
Research Report
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/24107Collections
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
John Jacob Freiberger
Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Anethesiology
Dr Freiberger works on the translation of basic science research on reactive oxygen
species signaling into clinical practice involving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). He has
performed animal experiments in the use of HBO for ischemic preconditioning and he
is currently funded to conduct a randomized controlled trial of the use of HBO for
the treatment of bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw. The mechanisms of
action for HBO in the treatment of: diabetic wounds, bony and soft tissue rad
Heath Gasier
Associate Professor in Anesthesiology
I was born and raised in Northeastern OH, and enlisted in the US Navy after graduating
from Jefferson Area High School, OH in 1991. From 1991-1995 I served onboard the USS
Denver (LPD-9) as a trained Operations Specialist and completed one Westpac Cruise
in support of Operation Restore Hope/Battle of Mogadishu. In 1996 I transferred to
the Ohio Army National Guard and served as a Heavy Constructions Equipment Repairer
until 2002. During this time I completed a BSAS in Food & Nutrition-Die
Richard Edward Moon
Professor of Anesthesiology
Research interests include the study of cardiorespiratory function in humans during
challenging clinical settings including the perioperative period, and exposure to
environmental conditions such as diving and high altitude. Studies have included gas
exchange during diving, the pathophysiology of high altitude and immersion pulmonary
edema, the effect of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia on pulmonary function
and monitoring of tissue oxygenation. Ongoing human studies include the effect of
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