Egyptian and foreign cigarettes

The concentration of 27 elements has been measured using neutron activation analysis in a cigarette brand commercially manufactured in Egypt and in three foreign brands available on the Egyptian market. The cigarette components examined were cigarette tobacco, cigarette wrapping paper and cigarette ash. All results are expressed in absolute values per cigarette. The concentration of Al, As, Ba, Br, Cl, Cs, Eu, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, Ti and V in the Egyptian cigarette were above the range determined for the foreign brands examined; however, Ce, Co, Cr, Hf, K, La, Mg, Se and Zn were within that range. Except for K, Mn, Ni and Ti, the above conclusions was the same for elements determined in the ash. The wrapping paper used for the Egyptian cigarette contains the lowest quantity of Cl and Mn.     

Analysis of Mexican cigarettes by INAA

Due to large consumption of tobacco in Mexico and in order to complement previous work performed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence, the present study has determined 15 elements by INAA in 9 cigarettes brands being marketed in Mexico. As a part of a Quality Control Program, NIST standard reference materials (SRM) and an IAEA reference material were analyzed to confirm the accuracy and reproducibility. Average of As and Cd were 0.56 and 1.15 μg·g⁻¹, respectively, in the range of those of foreign brands.     

The ancient Egyptian balance

The oldest known balances are equal-armed instruments that have been found in Egypt and are represented on Egyptian drawings and reliefs. In its simplest form the beam was made of wood or stone and provided with a central boring for the balance suspension and two borings at the ends of the beam for the pan suspensions. The existence of a balance standard in the Fifth Dynasty is testified. A plummet line was hung parallel to the balance suspension so that the horizontal position of the beam could be checked by comparing the right angles formed between beam and plummet line. From the time of the Middle Kingdom the pans were suspended by four cords. In the New Kingdom tubular beams were introduced whose ends were shaped in lotus flower or papyrus form. The strings of the pans came out together from inside the beam and diverged to the sides, the lower beam ends acting as knife edges. In most cases a pointer is either missing or so short that it is hardly helpful. This type of elaborate standard balance which was also distributed in Syria, Greece and Persia, is often depicted in the Books of Death of the New Kingdom in the scene showing the “Death Tribunal” with “Weighing of the Heart”.Unclear drawings led to misinterpretations as to the design and mode of operation of these balances. By style analysis and comparison with finds exhibited in the Cairo Egyptian Museum, it was possible, however, to clarify details.     

Thermal and XRD analysis of Egyptian galena

Galena is the principal ore mineral for lead industry and the production of lead and its alloys. The industrial processing of galena includes its oxidized roasting to lead oxide, followed by reduction smelting of lead oxide agglomerate with coke in the blast furnace to commercial lead. The present work reports a thermal analysis study of oxidized roasting of Egyptian galena using a derivatograph. The reaction products were identified microscopically and by using a Siemens Crystalloflex diffractometer.     

Proton-induced X-ray emission analysis of Jordanian cigarettes

Proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy was applied to determine the concentration of 11 elements in cigarette tobacco of four brands commercially made in Jordan, and one foreign brand. The results are expressed in absolute amount per cigarette. Cigarette wrapping paper and cigarette smoke were also analyzed. The significance of some of the elements found in the samples are discussed. Work carried out at the Department of Nuclear Physics, Lund Institute of Technology, Solvegatan 14, S-223 62, Lund, Sweden.     

Natural radioactive nuclides in cigarettes and dose estimation for smokers

²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb contained in cigarettes might contribute to an increase in an effective dose. This article reports the effective dose of radionuclides to smokers based on results of a review of various parameters related to dose estimation for smokers. The annual effective dose to smokers was found to be 0.27 mSv year^?1, which was lower than an intervention exemption level (1 mSv year^?1) given in International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP Publ. 82).     

Determination of polonium-210 in cigarettes from Syria

Various Syrian cigarettes /Hamra long filter, Oreidt, Granata, Palmyra, Hamra short filter/ were analyzed for their²¹⁰Po content.²¹⁰Po was precipitated on a silver plate after chemical separation and measured by -spectroscopy. The concentration values found for²¹⁰Po ranged between 0.02 and 0.08 pCi g^–1.     

Magnetic resonance imaging characterization of intact smoked cigarettes

The interior of intact, extinguished cigarettes following smoldering and puffing combustion was examined by proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Spin-echo imaging sequences were employed to image substances with high molecular mobility such as water, smoke condensate, and waxy materials native to unburned tobacco. Single-point imaging (SPI) methods were employed to image the more rigid components, such as tobacco cell wall polysaccharides and cellulose acetate fibers inside the filter. The distribution of spin–spin relaxation times (T₂) of the tobacco and filters was measured using a low-field ¹H NMR bench-top spectrometer. One-dimensional profiles and two-dimensional images revealed the distribution of combustion and pyrolysis products deposited on the unburned portion of tobacco and in the filter of the cigarette. Image features as small as 25 μm were resolved. The current results demonstrate the feasibility of employing MRI to study combustion in burning cigarettes and other materials in real time.     

Thermoluminescence response and sensitization properties of Egyptian pegmatite

The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of pegmatite samples, which were collected from Rod El-Liqah, Eastern Desert of Egypt, have been studied. Two main glow peaks were found, at about 235 and 310°C. TL response for β- as well as γ-rays have been studied. Good response was obtained for the two peaks with a sensitivity of 430, 220 nC/Gy · g for β and 1400, 300 nC/Gy · for γ. The TL sensitivity of pegmatite for γ-dose was enhanced by a factor of 6 times its original value using the sensitization method in which the sample is cooled in ice.     

Environmental Radioactivity Measurements of Egyptian Soils

Soil and vegetation samples from 33 sites within the northwestern area of the River Nile delta in Egypt have been analyzed for natural and man-made radioactivity. Gamma-ray spectrometric measurements were performed where ²¹⁴Bi and ²¹⁴Pb were used for ²³⁸U-series determinations, while ²⁰⁸Tl and ²²⁸Ac were used for ²³²Th-series determinations. In addition, alpha-spectrometric measurements were also performed for the determination of different isotopes of uranium and plutonium. Other parameters examined included the determination of radium equivalent activities and relationship between the gamma-radiation values and subsequent dose level determinations and the soil types.     

Characterization of Egyptian bronze archaeological artifacts

This paper presents the results of in situ non‐destructive X‐ray fluorescence determination of the chemical analysis of a collection of ten bronze statues that are on display at the Egyptian museum of Cairo. The statues are from the late period of the ancient Egyptian history. In addition, destructive technique X‐ray diffraction analysis was applied on 11 damaged archaeological objects to determine the corrosion products and the alloy compositions. Specimens of the latter objects were subjected to metallographic examinations to determine the microstructure of the alloy. Surprisingly, the results indicated that all ten statues and 10 of the 11 damaged objects were made of lead – bronze alloy; the percentage of the lead varied from 3.43 to 18.04, the tin varied from 2.53 to 10.67. The chemical composition of the patina on eight damaged objects is essentially composed of (Cu₂O) cuprite for all objects in addition to other compounds such as (SnO₂) cassiterite in two objects, (PbCO₃) cerussite in three other objects and (Cu₂(OH)₃Cl) atacamite or (Cu(OH)₃Cl) paratacamite in two other objects. The formation of chlorides and carbonate resulted from the interaction between surrounding environment and the alloy. The results of the metallographic examinations indicated a non‐homogenous structure and the increase of the lead content increases the globular lead particles. In spite of this condition, the galvanic corrosion tendency when the alloy is exposed to moist air or soil is not possible as lead compounds are electrically insulating. Another advantage for using leaded bronze in making statues is being heavy and thus leads to stability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of nickel in cigarettes smoke by molecular fluorescence

Smoking represents the main avoidable cause of disease and death in the world. Cigarette smoke contains over 4700 chemical compounds including 60 known carcinogens. The inhalation of tobacco smoke is one of the most significant sources of nickel exposure for occupationally unexposed population. The aim of this work was to evaluate nickel contents present in cigarette smoke by using an automatic sample preparation step and solid surface fluorescence. A total of 250 cigarettes (brands available in Argentine) were smoked in a smoking device applying vacuum and forcing the mainstream smoke to pass through a filter holder containing a Nylon membrane treated with eosin dye (eo). Nickel present in smoke cigarette was selectively retained by eo as an association compound. Chemically enriched nickel on nylon membranes was subsequent quantified by spectrofluorimetry (λ_em = 545 nm, λ_exc = 515 nm), reaching quantitative recovery with a detection limit of 1.56 ng L^{− 1} and quantification limit of 5.52 ng L^{− 1}. The calibration sensitivity using zeroth order calibration was 1 10¹² ng L^{− 1} (r² = 0.9992) for the methodology with a linear range of 5.52 to 5.17 10⁴ ng L^{− 1} Ni(II). Standard addition method was satisfactorily applied to nickel determination in mainstream smoke cigarettes of twenty brands. Results can be good correlated with urinary nickel contents coming from fifty subjects with different levels of addiction.     

Chemical analysis of Yemeni archaeological ceramics and the Egyptian enigma

Archaeological reconnaissance in the Yemen Arab Republic produced samples of mediaeval Islamic ceramics in a 100 km² region centred at Zabid. The ceramics dated from 700 A. D. to 1750 A. D. and initial research indicated that they were all locally made products. Twelves types of ceramics were selected for sampling on the basis of stylistic decoration; nine types were red bodied and three types were white bodied. Six laboratory samples of each type were subjected to neutron activation analysis for the short-lived isotope producing elements using the SLOWPOKE reactor at the University of Toronto. The results showed very tight sherd groupings, with all the red wares of discrete composition and all the white wares of a different discrete composition. Hence the same two clay sources have been utilized over a thousand years. However, a comparison of both ware types with Nile alluvium red ware and Aswan white ware from Egypt, tested for the same elements, produced unexpected results. Although the white wares from Egypt and Yemen were quite different chemically, the red wares showed remarkable chemical similarity. In order to subject the data to a more rigorous statistical testing, a multivariate discriminate analysis programme was applied. The analysis confirmed that the Yemeni and Egyptian white wares could easily be separated. The Yemeni red and Nile alluvium red wares were also separated into the two groups with a very high prediction rate, in spite of the fact that, on visual inspection of the data, no substantial differences were evident. It is clear, therefore, that artifact analysis must be conducted with due respect given to the archaeological context, the elemental chemistry, and sound statistical procedures.     

Neutron activation analysis of an Egyptian cigarette and its ash

The concentration of 28 elements in tobacco and cigarette paper in an Egyptian Cigarette were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis. These elements are: Al, As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Ti, V and Zn. The cigarette filter (before and after normal smoking) and the produced ash were analyzed to determine the adsorption of the elements on the filter and their remains in ash. The material balance for the determined elements were calculated.     

Thermal Analysis and X-Ray Diffraction of Roasting of Egyptian Molybdenite

Molybdenite is the main ore mineral for the molybdenum industry and the production of molybdenum. The industrial processing of molybdenite is based on its oxidized roasting to technical grade molybdenum oxide, followed by its purification by distillation or its ammonia leaching.The present work reports a thermal analysis study of the oxidized roasting of Egyptian molybdenite, using a derivatograph. The reaction products were identified microscopically and by using a Siemens Crystalloflex diffractometer.The DTA curves of the roasting of molybdenite show that its oxidation begins at 360–370°C, as indicated by the small exothermic peak at such temperatures. This is followed immediately by a large, wide exothermic peak with maximum at 510–520°C, representing the intensive oxidation of molybdenite. The medium endothermic peak at 795–800°C reflects the melting and sublimation of molybdenum oxide. The vigourous vaporization of molybdenum oxide and its boiling are associated with the large, sharp endothermic peak at 1150°C. This is accompanied by a large loss in mass (TG).The study includes calculation of the thermodynamic constants and the kinetics of the reaction of oxidation of molybdenite.The oxidized roasting of molybdenite results in the production of molybdenum oxide, which is the essential starting material of the molybdenum industry. The molybdenum oxide produced has the molybdite structure and crystallizes in the orthorhombic system in the form of elongated, thin, light-green crystals.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An EPR study on ancient and newly synthesised Egyptian blue

Two sets of ancient roman Egyptian blue (EB) samples and one set of EB samples synthesised in our lab, were analysed by EPR spectroscopy, a technique not commonly used in this field. The spectroscopic parameters obtained were used to attempt the discrimination of the provenance and of the manufacturing techniques of the investigated samples.The results obtained show that EPR technique could be very useful for this purpose.Furthermore, the similarity of the obtained parameters between the ancient and new samples testify the successful attempt to reproduce the EB according to the chemical knowledge.     

Determination of uranium and thorium concentration in some Egyptian rock samples

Uranium (U) and thorium (Th) isotopes and their several radioactive descendants found in soil, rock, water, plants, air, etc., contribute to the natural radiation exposure of the population. Phosphate rocks are really rich natural sources of uranium and thorium among the other minerals forming the earth's crust. U and Th concentrations in some Egyptian phosphate samples were determined using a nuclear track registration methodology and -ray spectroscopy. The resulting latent tracks from all -decaying isotopes in both U and Th series were recorded in plastic detectors. A uniquely sensitive polycarbonate CR-39 nuclear detector was used. Results showed that the U and Th concentration in the samples studied range from about 4.0 up to 35.0 ppm and from 11.0 to 124.0 ppm, respectively. Results are discussed within the frame work of track formation methodology in plastic and -ray spectroscopic analysis.