General Information

Nitrosomines in the cured leaf became an issue for growers in late 1999. Since that date all of the flue-cured bulk tobacco barns being used have been updated with indirect fired curing units. These units were built by major tobacco barn manufacturers and local metal shops. Depending on the metal used and quality of construction will determine the life of these units.

Two full harvest and curing seasons has past for the retrofitted bulk barns. Tobacco companies have been sampling the cured leaf for Nitrosomines in the cured leaf. By in large they have not found Nitrosomines levels in cured leaf. Nitrosomine levels in cured leaf have been greatly reduced. But there have been cases where nitrosomine levels were found and the growers were notified of the problem. Some reasons for high nitrosomine levels still being detected in cured leaf are as follows:

1. The flue gas exit point is less than 2 feet above the highest point of the barn. Growers should make sure that flue gases are not allowed to enter the barn through the air inlet vents during curing.
2. The welds in and on the metal heat exchanger has separated (cracked). This could be a result of thin metal being used, more than one type of metal used, poor welds, and inappropriate bracing. These heat exchangers experience several thousand heating/cooling cycles during a six- or seven-day cure. All metals expand and contract upon heating and cooling.

How Do I Find Cracks?

Use a flash light look at the heat exchanger welds, this may take crawling under the floor and looking down over the furnace area. It will be very hard to examine all of the welds.

A better way is use an electronic gas meter to detect carbon dioxide gases being released into the curing air. Recently, North Carolina State University (Grant Ellington) has conducted test using a commercial Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) meter to measure levels in the curing barn. A slide show was used to report the results. Any CO₂ meter having a range of 0 -10,000 ppm can be used. The probe must be placed in the air stream in the barn. All fresh air vent must be closed. Operate the barn for 5 to 10 minutes with the fan on only. The carbon dioxide levels in the unheated barn should read approximately 350 to 500 ppm (ambient air). Next, advance the thermostat 30° to 40° F above ambient air temperature. The maximum temperature setting during this test should not exceed 140° F. Monitor the CO₂ level for 10 to 20 minutes after the burner initially ignites. If the CO₂ levels increase significantly above the initial ambient background levels during this time, then the heat exchanger should be inspected closely for cracks. Some units levels of CO₂ may change very rapidly, increasing by a factor of 2 or more above initial ambient levels in only minutes. Other units may only increase by 200 or 300 parts per million in ten minutes or longer, but an inspection for cracks is still recommended.

If high CO₂ levels or cracks are observed, contact the installer and/or manufacturer of heat exchanger. Under the agreement, they are to repair the unit for three years.

Even though there may be elevated levels of CO₂, and therefore other combustion by-products present inside the curing chamber, the relationship between CO₂ readings and TSNAs levels is not known at this time. However, we do know that combustion by-products (NOx) are responsible for TSNA formation in flue-cured tobacco.