ISO 21330-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 21330:2018 — Cigarettes — Determination of selected volatile organic compounds in the mainstream smoke of cigarettes — Method using GC/MS. This International Standard specifies a laboratory method for the collection and quantification of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in mainstream cigarette smoke using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‑MS) under the ISO 3308 smoking regime.

Abstract

This document describes a validated GC‑MS method for quantifying five selected VOCs (1,3‑butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene and toluene) in mainstream cigarette smoke collected under ISO 3308 smoking parameters. The method is intended for cigarettes with nicotine‑free dry particulate matter (NFDPM) yields between 1 mg and 15 mg per cigarette and includes sampling, use of internal standards, instrumental analysis (GC‑MS, often in SIM mode), calibration and quality control procedures required for reliable quantification.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard, confirmed in the 2024 review).
• Publication date: 5 November 2018 (Edition 1: 2018‑11).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 65.160 — Tobacco, tobacco products and related equipment.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 17 pages.

Scope

ISO 21330:2018 specifies a laboratory procedure for the quantification of selected VOCs (1,3‑butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene and toluene) in the mainstream smoke of cigarettes. Sampling is performed using the ISO 3308 routine analytical smoking machine conditions; the method applies to cigarettes with NFDPM yields between 1 mg and 15 mg per cigarette. The standard covers sample collection, internal standards, GC‑MS analysis and reporting requirements to obtain traceable, reproducible VOC results for regulatory, research and product‑control applications.

Key topics and requirements

• Target analytes: 1,3‑butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene and toluene.
• Smoking conditions: use of ISO 3308 routine analytical cigarette‑smoking machine parameters.
• Sample collection: mainstream smoke trapping and solvent collection procedures suitable for VOCs.
• Analytical technique: gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‑MS), typically operated in Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) for sensitivity and specificity.
• Use of internal standards and calibration for quantification and instrument performance checks.
• Quality control: blanks, calibration checks, recovery checks and documentation of limits of detection/quantification.
• Applicability limits: designed for cigarettes with NFDPM between 1 mg and 15 mg per cigarette.

Typical use and users

Used by tobacco product testing laboratories, regulatory agencies, manufacturers and research organizations to quantify specified VOCs in mainstream cigarette smoke for product characterization, compliance testing, surveillance and scientific studies. Laboratories implementing this method require GC‑MS capability, trained analysts and adherence to the stated sampling and quality‑control procedures.

Related standards

Normative and related references typically cited with ISO 21330 include ISO 3308 (routine analytical cigarette‑smoking machine — definitions and standard conditions), ISO 3402 (atmosphere for conditioning and testing of tobacco and tobacco products) and ISO 8243 (cigarettes — sampling). These documents provide the smoking regime, sample conditioning and sampling procedures that ISO 21330 relies on.

Keywords

cigarettes; volatile organic compounds; VOC; mainstream smoke; GC‑MS; 1,3‑butadiene; isoprene; acrylonitrile; benzene; toluene; ISO 3308; tobacco testing; NFDPM.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21330:2018 is an International Standard that specifies a GC‑MS method for determining selected volatile organic compounds in the mainstream smoke of cigarettes.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling under ISO 3308 smoking conditions, collection and preparation of smoke samples, GC‑MS analysis (commonly in SIM mode), use of internal standards, calibration and required quality controls to quantify five specific VOCs in mainstream smoke for cigarettes with NFDPM 1–15 mg.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Accredited testing laboratories, tobacco manufacturers, regulatory bodies and research institutions conducting product testing, compliance checks or exposure and emissions research.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition (Edition 1) is published and was reviewed/confirmed in 2024, so it remains the current edition as of the 2024 confirmation. Users should check the ISO catalogue or their national standards body for any later amendments or revisions after 2024.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a method standard within the ISO/TC 126 tobacco‑related portfolio and references other ISO standards (for example ISO 3308, ISO 3402 and ISO 8243) that together define smoking conditions, conditioning and sampling practices for tobacco product testing.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: VOC, volatile organic compounds, mainstream smoke, GC‑MS, cigarettes, 1,3‑butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, NFDPM, ISO 3308.