Mouth Absorption of Various Compounds in Cigarette Smoke

Abstract

The absorption in the mouth of volatile and aerosol components in cigarette smoke was studied in humans. Determinations were made of acetaldehyde, isoprene, acetone, acetonitile, toluene, and particulate matter using gaschromatography and fluorometric methods. The amount of the various compounds in smoke coming directly from the cigarette and smoke which had stayed in the mouth for two seconds were determined. The results were expressed as percent absorption. The absorption was higher for water- soluble compounds (around 60%) than for nonwater-soluble compounds (around 20%). No correlation was found between boiling point and absorption. Sixteen percent of the particulate matter was retained in the mouth. A lower absorption was found among heavy smokers for isoprene, acetaldehyde, and acetonitrile.