New insights in tobacco radiotoxicity: on the research of Po in modern heated tobacco product-radioactivity, distribution, and dose assessment.

The purpose of the study was to assess the radiological risk to users and the environment related to the Glo system used to heat tobacco. The concentration of Po, radioactivity per cartridge, and radiation dose assessment were evaluated. For comparison purposes, to present the exposure scale, the same analyses were also performed for several traditional cigarettes. The tests were carried out on an alpha spectrometer equipped with a PIPS detector. After examining 60 samples, the concentration of Po was found in tobacco that was a filling of Neo cartridges and in traditional cigarettes. Po concentrations [in mBq∙g] in heated tobacco were higher than in unheated. After heating, a little release of polonium (mBq per cartridge) was observed. The research was also done taking into account the flavor of the Neo cartridges and cartridges from different packages. The Po concentrations in heated Neo cartridges were greater than 30 mBq∙g and in traditional cigarettes up to 50 mBq∙g. The estimated annual effective dose for Neo cartridges was lower than that for traditional smoking. However, it cannot be concluded that the use of Neo cartridges is healthier and does not affect the environment. What is disturbing is the increase in the number of cartridges used daily, resulting in the creation of waste containing Po and, of course, a higher effective dose received by the user.