Formaldehyde in the gas phase of mainstream cigarette smoke

• Published in: Journal of analytical and applied pyrolysis Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 137 - 145
• Main Authors: Li, S, Banyasz, J.L, Parrish, M.E, Lyons-Hart, J, Shafer, K.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2002
• Subjects: Cigarette smoking; Formaldehyde; Gas phase; Cigarette smoking; Formaldehyde; Gas phase
• ISSN: 0165-2370; 1873-250X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0165-2370(01)00185-1

Formaldehyde deliveries in the gas phase of the mainstream cigarette smoke of a single puff were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The lighting puff (first puff) has significantly more formaldehyde than subsequent puffs. The differences between the first puff and later puffs in cigarette smoking, such as tobacco rod length, smoke condensate on tobacco rod and filter, and whether or not the tobacco has been exposed to the previous puff(s), were explored in this study. It was found that while the mainstream gas phase formaldehyde deliveries vary with cigarette rod length and amount of smoke condensate on the tobacco rod and filter, the heat exposure of tobacco through previous puff(s) shows a more significant effect on formaldehyde levels observed in different puffs. The results of this study seek to explain the higher level of formaldehyde detected in the first puff. Exploring the smoking process on a per puff basis will provide more insight into the smoke chemistry and increase our understanding of combustion and pyrolysis in cigarette smoking.