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- Title
Research report: Charcoal type used for hookah smoking influences CO production.
- Authors
Medford, Marlon A.; Moffat, Andrew D.; Freiberger, John J.; Gasier, Heath G.; Moon, Richard E.; Hexdall, Eric
- 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 (°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 °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.
- Subjects
HOOKAHS; CARBON monoxide; TOXICOLOGY of carbon monoxide; HYPERBARIC oxygenation; CHARCOAL; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine, 2015, Vol 42, Issue 4, p375
- ISSN
1066-2936
- Publication type
Article