Filtration of Phenols From Cigarette Smoke2

Abstract

In smoking and screening experiments, adsorption capacity of filter materials for phenols was tested. The tests showed: 1) Secondary cellulose acetate filters of commercial cigarettes exhibit an adsorption capacity, ranging from 60 to 72 percent, for phenols from the smoke. Of this adsorptive capacity, approximately one half may be considered as specific adsorption of phenols as defined in the text. 2) Increased “selective” adsorption for phenols is obtained when poly(ethylene glycol) is dusted on filter fibers of cellulose secondary acetate. When cellulose secondary acetate fiber is dusted with secondary acetate powder, the removal of both phenol and particulate matter is increased significantly. 3) A cellulose triacetate with a grainy surface is superior as a phenol-adsorbing filter to cellulose acetates with regular surfaces. 4) Plasticizers improve phenol-adsorption capacity. With the passage of time, diffusion and other yet undefined effects lessen their value. Suggestions have been made in terms of fiber structure and use of plasticizers which can lead to further improvement of filters for phenol removal. It is possible to reduce the phenol in cigarette smoke up to 90 percent with selected filter fibers and plasticizers. 5) The amounts of particulate matter and phenol released during the smoking of three equal (20 mm) sections of filter and nonfilter cigarettes were determined in the mainstream smoke. When a filter cigarette is smoked down, increasing amounts of phenol are released from the tobacco and the “selective” adsorption of phenol by secondary cellulose-acetate filter increases.