Source
r/hookah•
TiyHoerr

Sample Selection for Analysis of Nicotine, Arsenic, BAP, NNN, and NNK in Hookah Smoke

That title makes it sound real "sciencey," huh? Bottom line, I'm preparing my honors project for Fall 16 and I'm looking for some info on what shisha to sample.

A bit about me: I actually peruse r/hookah quite a bit, posted a few times before. I do enjoy hookah (first smoked my freshman year and now about to enter my senior year), and that is what has led me to this project. I want to find out for my self just how much "bad stuff" is in it.

So, I'm asking my fellow redditors (specifically those that own their own site/shop for some help). I need to select what brands and flavors to test. Ideally, I'm looking to sample the four top selling brands of shisha's top selling flavor. If anybody want's to give some recommendations (or some of their sales analysis) that would be great!

Additionally, if anyone wants more info on what I'm planning to do, just ask!

edit: thought to mention that I am a chemistry major, if you hadn't figured out.

Posted Feb 22, 2016, 10:51 PM UTC · edited

2017
FrankmitesMommyCustom KM Pear Short | Oduman Ignis | Alu D Hose | London•

Nakhla Double Apple (Unwashed Tobacco, Modern example)

Al-Fakher Orange (Washed Tobacco, Modern example)

Nakhla Zaghloul (Original and one of the first mu'assels, Past example)

Al-Fakher Herbal - Double Apple or Orange (No tobacco but i'm curious to see the profile)

2
MrLebHabibi•

These are big as these are some of the most popular, Nakhla & Fakher are smoked world-wide and have been forever.

Would be interesting as well to test something washed that feels less buzzy than Fakher, maybe Fumari or starbuzz.

1
CunningRunt_•

Are you doing a control with coals then comparing that to use with heat management devices? I'd be interested to see how those compositions compare.

To echo some of the other suggestions, definitely do probably two common low-buzz tobaccos compared to high-nicotine tobacco. My suggestions are Al Fakher (any flavor) and Haze for low nicotine and Tangiers and Nakhla (unwashed) for higher nicotine.

Edit:

More thoughts - perhaps you could also take sample compositions at the start, middle, and finish of each session to see if composition changes over time.

2
TiyHoerrOP•

Currently, I would test each shisha as follows:

Rig 1: insta-light (probably 3 Kings) with Egyptian bowl

Rig 2: insta-light with funnel

Rig 3: coconut (titanium or haze or coco nara) with Egyptian

Rig 4: coconut with funnel

I've considered testing with the lotus, but right now not sure. As with varying Egyptian and funnel bowls, I want to see if the run off of juices affects the products given off (i.e. more run off, shisha drys quicker, and burns).

I like the idea of testing washed vs unwashed. As of right now, the only reason I want to only do 4 samples is because of time. My plan is to run each rig with 3 set ups (set up, sample, tear down, rinse and repeat). And each set up, take 5 samples over a set interval of time. But right now, for statistical reasons, I would want to try to test the flavors that are most widely used.

2
CunningRunt_•

Interesting. Only reason I'd suggest trying to use a heat management device is to see if they minimize the carbon monoxide intake that would come from inhaling directly from the coals.

5
gayhomophob3Zahrah Z70 | Shika Hilal V3 | Texas•

Yeah thats what I thinking, I would love to see that get tested

3
WiseGainsKM | RV Rocket•

Starbuzz most likely Blue Mist, Al Fakher is probably vanilla, mint, or double apple, Tangiers Cane Mint, and Fumari spieced chai would be my suggestions.

2
JungleStirFryNammor Pharaoh | Alien Mini | Austin TX•

I am super interested in what results you might find, and I'm sure others are too. Keep us all posted and good luck!

2
TiyHoerrOP•

Thank you! And I plan to post my presentation/slides/paper (what ever I end up making to present it), along with a version for people who aren't used to reading scientific literature, haha.

2
WhatsForDinerA properly spelled name, that's what's for dinner!•

There's a top flavors by brand someway on the sub. That could help you a lot :)

2
TiyHoerrOP•

Found it! The only problem is, I'm assuming it doesn't list the brands in order.

1
WhatsForDinerA properly spelled name, that's what's for dinner!•

I was talking about another one actually. Im on mobile, but maybe i can link it. Give me a second :)

2
WhatsForDinerA properly spelled name, that's what's for dinner!•

Fam i gotchu http://www.imgur.com/a/hmKgx

2
TiyHoerrOP•

BAE!!!!!

3
nikpower19•

i would definitely if i were you, to check "buttery/cream" flavours, since those are usually the "worse" when tests come out in vaping. Examples would be haze: bananarama, chaitastic.

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/how-butter-flavored-e-cigs-are-fueling-a-crucial-vaping-controversy

2
KukukachuGotScrewedBlackCoffee+Shisha=I'm80YearsOldNow•

I wouldn't keep it as narrow as 2 brands. Run the gambit from regular Starbuzz (Blue Mist is a very popular flavor) all the way up to Nirvana Super Shisha.

By the way, I'm interested in doing some hookah health studies as well. PM me if you would like to share information and work together somehow.

1
Akkuma•

What would be a good "control" would be using the mint/extreme mint flavors across various brands.

1