[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33424-33426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13084]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. FDA-2012-N-0212]
Tobacco Product Analysis; Scientific Workshop; Request for
Comments
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of public workshop; request for comments.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Tobacco
Products, is announcing a scientific workshop to obtain input on the
chemical analysis of tobacco products. The analyses of tobacco products
include developing test methods and evaluating method performance to
ensure the results of the analyses are reliable and accurate. This
scientific workshop will focus on understanding the testing of tobacco
filler and smoke from cigarettes, roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco, and
smokeless tobacco products for specific chemicals. FDA is also opening
a public docket to receive comments on these topics.
Dates and Times: The public workshop will be held on July 30, 2013,
from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on July 31, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 4
p.m. Individuals who wish to attend the public workshop must register
by close of business on July 1, 2013. Submit either electronic or
written comments to the docket by September 30, 2013.
Location: The public workshop will be held at 9200 Corporate Blvd.,
Rockville, MD 20850, 1-877-287-1373.
Contact Person: Janie Kim, Office of Science, Center for Tobacco
Products, Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd.,
Rockville, MD, 20850, 1-877-287-1373, FAX: 240-276-3761, email:
[email protected].
Registration to Attend the Workshop and Requests for Oral
Presentations: If you wish to attend the workshop, make an oral
presentation at the workshop, or view the free webcast, you must
register by submitting an electronic or written request by July 1,
2013. Please submit electronic requests to http://surveymonkey.com/s/3RGVYFT. A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email at
least 2 weeks prior to the workshop date. Those without email access
may register by contacting Janie Kim (see Contact Person). Please
provide contact information for each attendee, including name, title,
affiliation, address, email address, and telephone number. Registration
is free, but early registration is recommended because seating is
limited. FDA may limit the number of participants from
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each organization as well as the total number of participants based on
space limitations. Registrants will receive confirmation once they have
been accepted for the workshop. Onsite registration on the day of the
workshop will be based on space availability. If registration reaches
maximum capacity, FDA will post a notice closing registration for the
workshop at http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm238308.htm.
There will be opportunities for audience participation at this
workshop. FDA has included topics for comment in section II of this
document. FDA will do its best to accommodate requests to speak during
the workshop sessions, although questions from the audience may be
limited. In addition, we strongly encourage submitting comments to the
docket (see Comments).
If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please
contact Janie Kim (see Contact Person) at least 7 days before the
workshop.
Comments: Regardless of attendance at the public workshop,
interested persons may submit comments on any of the topics for
discussion in section II of this document by September 30, 2013. Submit
electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written
comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. It
is only necessary to send one set of comments. Identify comments with
the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document.
Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be posted to
the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In April 2012, FDA held a scientific workshop that focused on
understanding how tobacco reference products and general testing
methods are used to analyze tobacco products (77 FR 14814, March 13,
2012; for more information see http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm291530.htm). The scientific workshop that will be held on
July 30 and July 31, 2013, will focus on understanding the testing of
tobacco filler and smoke from cigarettes, RYO tobacco, and smokeless
tobacco products for tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide (TNCO),
tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs). The workshop will include discussion of the
analytical methods used for measuring these constituents in tobacco
products and smoke.
The workshop will include scientific experts who will present
scientific and technical information on the testing of tobacco
products. Such experts could include, but are not limited to,
scientists from governmental agencies, academia, tobacco product
manufacturers, and contract testing laboratories.
FDA is interested in receiving scientific information at the
workshop and in the docket. Information from the scientific workshop
may assist us in developing future scientific workshops regarding the
analysis of tobacco products.
II. Workshop Topics for Discussion
The scientific workshop will include discussion of the analytical
methods for measuring the following constituents in tobacco products
and smoke:
TNCO in cigarette smoke;
TSNAs (total TSNAs, N-nitrosonornicotine) (NNN), and 4-
(methylnitrosamino)-1-(-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)) in smoke and tobacco
filler (i.e., cigarette, RYO, smokeless); and
PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, naphthalene, chrysene,
benz[j]aceanthrylene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene,
benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, cyclopenta[cd]pyrene,
dibenz[a,h]anthracene, dibenzo[a,e]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]pyrene,
dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and 5-
methylchrysene) in smoke and tobacco filler (i.e., cigarette, RYO,
smokeless).
FDA would like to engage in detailed discussions on chemical test
methods to understand the principles and aspects of these analyses.
Aspects of analytical methods encompass solution preparation,
extraction, separation, detection, and method performance parameters
with criteria.
FDA will explore all or some of the following topics during this
scientific workshop:
A. TNCO in Cigarette Smoke
1. A description of the different extraction steps used when
analyzing cigarette smoke for TNCO.
2. Typical concentration ranges for TNCO and the potential method
adjustments to accommodate different cigarette strengths and physical
parameters.
3. The optimal solvents, extraction solution, standards, and
reference tobacco product(s) typically used when analyzing TNCO.
4. The method variability and whether or not it is dependent upon
different products in your portfolio.
5. The specific method challenges and limitations when testing
TNCO, such as environmental moisture, water measurement variability,
and extraction efficiency.
6. The major sources of variability (e.g., smoking machine or
regimen, sample preparation, separation, and detection).
B. TSNAs (Total, NNN, and NNK) in Tobacco Filler (Cigarette, RYO,
Smokeless) and Cigarette Smoke
7. The different extraction steps used when analyzing TSNAs in
tobacco filler, smokeless tobacco, and cigarette smoke particulate.
8. The optimal solvents, extraction solutions, standards, and
reference tobacco product(s) needed during the extraction of TSNAs from
tobacco filler or, as applicable, a Cambridge filter pad.
9. The rationale for using isotopically labeled internal standards,
instead of targeted surrogates or external standards for TSNAs. The
number of isotopically labeled internal standards needed to calculate
the amount of TSNAs in a sample.
10. The challenges with isotopically labeled internal standards,
including: (a) The commercial availability of internal standards or
their analogs; (b) individual versus (vs.) mixture of internal
standards; cost of internal standards; (c) deuterated vs. \13\ C
labeled internal standards; and (d) concerns of proton exchange with
deuterated labeled internal standards.
11. The typical concentration ranges for total TSNAs, NNN, and NNK
and any potential method adjustments to accommodate for different
cigarette strengths and physical parameters.
12. The major sources of method variability, e.g., include sources
from the smoking machine or regimen, sample preparation, separation,
and detection of different tobacco product types and strengths.
13. The specific method challenges and limitations when testing NNN
and NNK.
14. The differences in separation, detection, and limits of
detection/quantitation when comparing liquid chromatography/mass
spectrometry and gas chromatography/thermal energy analyzer for TSNA
analysis.
C. PAHs in Tobacco Filler (Cigarette, RYO, Smokeless) and Cigarette
Smoke
For the PAHs benzo[a]pyrene, naphthalene, chrysene,
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benz[j]aceanthrylene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene,
benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, cyclopenta[cd]pyrene,
dibenz[a,h]anthracene, dibenzo[a,e]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]pyrene,
dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and 5-
methylchrysene:
15. The different extraction steps used when analyzing PAHs in
tobacco filler, smokeless tobacco, and cigarette smoke particulate and
any applicable cleanup techniques used.
16. The optimal solvents, extraction solutions, standards, and
reference tobacco product(s) needed during the extraction of PAHs from
tobacco filler or, as applicable, a Cambridge filter pad.
17. The rationale for using isotopically labeled internal standards
instead of targeted surrogates or external standards for PAHs. The
number of isotopically labeled internal standards needed to calculate
the amount of PAHs in a sample.
18. The challenges with isotopically labeled internal standards,
including: (a) The commercial availability of internal standards or
their analogs; (b) individual vs. mixture of internal standards, cost
of internal standards; (c) deuterated vs. \13\ C labeled internal
standards; and (d) concerns of proton exchange with deuterated labeled
internal standards.
19. The typical concentration ranges for each of the PAHs listed in
this document and any potential method adjustments to accommodate for
different cigarette strengths and physical parameters.
20. The major sources of method variability, e.g., include sources
from the smoking machine or regimen, sample preparation, separation,
and detection of different tobacco product types and strengths.
21. The different methods necessary to separate and detect for
PAHs. Provide the number of methods and steps typically used for each
from extraction to detection.
22. The specific method challenges and limitations when analyzing
testing PAHs, including: (a) Isomer separation and identification, (b)
effects of tobacco blend, and (c) low vs. high molecular weight PAHs
(volatility and sensitivity).
23. The differences in separation, detection, and limits of
detection/quantitation when comparing gas chromatography/mass
spectrometry, liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detection, and liquid
chromatography/mass spectrometry for PAH analysis.
D. General Method Testing for TNCO, TSNAs, and PAHs in Tobacco Filler
(Cigarette, RYO, Smokeless) and Cigarette Smoke
24. The solution stability for prepared solutions and procedures to
ensure their integrity.
25. The typical storage conditions and shelf life (i.e., expiration
dates) for tobacco product standards and samples.
26. The standard, reference, or known sample solutions used as
blanks or for quality control (QC), working, and check standards when
testing TNCO, TSNAs, and PAHs.
27. The system suitability and acceptance criteria for each test
method. The discussion may include calibration, QC, working,
bracketing, and verification standards, confirmation ion ratio for mass
spectrometry, chromatographic parameters (i.e., retention times,
tailing factor, or peak resolution), injector precision, and blanks.
28. The critical system suitability parameters that are critical
when testing TNCO, TSNAs, and PAHs.
29. The actions taken when any system suitability criterion fails,
including standards, QC, and subsequent sample analyses.
30. The typical run sequence when testing samples for TNCO, TSNAs,
and PAHs.
31. The equations to calculate sample concentrations for TNCO,
TSNAs, and PAHs.
32. Examples of chromatograms of reference standards and for
measured TNCO, TSNAs, and PAHs in tobacco products.
E. Validation or Method Performance for TNCO, TSNAs, and PAHs in
Tobacco Filler (Cigarette, RYO, Smokeless) and Cigarette Smoke
33. The specific details when evaluating each validation parameter,
which may include limit of detection, limit of quantification, method
detection limit, accuracy, recovery, linearity, range, precision
(repeatability), and specificity.
34. The determination of each criterion for each validation
parameter when evaluating TNCO, TSNAs, and PAHs.
35. The steps taken when validation parameter criteria are not met.
36. The validation parameters that are performed with reference
tobacco products or standards.
37. The types and strengths of tobacco product samples used during
validation and method development.
38. The process taken to revalidate a test method when changes to
the method (i.e., solvent, extraction method, or column) are made.
39. The validation process when using a rotary and linear smoking
machine with a non-intense and intense smoking regimen.
40. The robustness or ruggedness tests that are conducted for
extraction efficiency, solution stability, and small changes in
instrument parameters.
III. Transcripts
Please be advised that as soon as a transcript is available, it
will be accessible at http://www.regulations.gov. It may be viewed at
the Division of Dockets Management (see Comments). A transcript will
also be available in either hard copy or on CD-ROM, after submission of
a Freedom of Information request. Written requests are to be sent to
Division of Freedom of Information (HFI-35), Office of Management
Programs, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 6-30,
Rockville, MD 20857.
Dated: May 24, 2013.
Leslie Kux,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-13084 Filed 6-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P