Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons between the Particulate and the Gas Phase of Mainstream Cigarette Smoke in Relation to Cigarette Technological Characteristics

Particulate- and gas-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the mainstream smoke (MSS) of 59 manufactured cigarette brands (commercially available brands of unknown tobacco and blend type) with variable ‘tar’ yields and physical/technological characteristics. Depending on the existence/absence of filter, the ‘tar’ yield indicated on the packet, and the cigarette length and diameter, the examined cigarette brands were classified into 15 groups: non filter (NF), high (H), medium (M), light (L), super light (SL), ultra light (UL), one-tar yields (O), 100 mm long cigarettes (H-100, L-100, SL-100, UL-100, O-100), and slim cigarettes (SL-SLIM, UL-SLIM, O-SLIM). Cigarettes were smoked in a reference smoking machine equipped with glass fibre filters for collection of PAHs bound to total particulate matter (TPM), and polyurethane foam plugs (PUF) for collection of gas-phase PAHs. The relationships of gas- and particulate-phase concentrations of PAHs (ng/cig) with the contents of typical MSS components, such as TPM, ‘tar’, nicotine and carbon monoxide were investigated. In addition, the phase partitioning of PAHs in MSS was evaluated in relation to the technological characteristics of cigarettes.