A simple GC-MS technique for the analysis of vapor phase mainstream cigarette smoke

This paper presents a simple gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique for the analysis of vapor phase mainstream cigarette smoke. The analysis includes two parts: (A) separation and identification of as many as possible compounds in vapor phase smoke, and (B) quantitative analysis of a selected number of analytes. For achieving these objectives, the cigarettes are smoked using a Borgwaldt RM20/CS smoking machine using Federal Trade Commission (FTC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), or other recommended conditions. The vapor phase smoke is separated from particulate phase smoke with a standard Cambridge pad. The vapor phase is collected in a gas bag, and then a precise volume (1 or 5 mL) is injected in a GC–MS system for separation and analysis. About 90 compounds are separated and identified in vapor phase smoke. A quantitative procedure was developed for acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, acrolein, propionaldehyde, acetonitrile, acetone, isoprene, propionitrile, benzene, crotonaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and styrene. Using appropriate standards, most of the other compounds identified in vapor phase smoke could also be quantitated. Excellent reproducibility is obtained using this technique, the results being in good agreement with previously reported work.