Generation,sampling and chromatographic analysis of particulate matter in dilute sidestream tobacco smoke

The sampling and gas chromatographic separation of the particulate matter of sidestream tobacco smoke for high-molecular-weight compounds are described. Four n-alkanes (C₂₇, C₂₉, C₃₁ and C₃₃) were identified and their relationship to the particulate levels was established. The sidestream yields of these compounds for several cigarette types, including regular, low- and ultra-low-tar filtered and high-tar unfiltered varieties are reported. Concentrations in diluted smoke at particulate levels similar to ambient tobacco smoke were also determined. Methods for generating test atmospheres of sidestream smoke at low-level, uniform concentrations are described.