Amounts of Oxides of Nitrogen and Carbon Monoxide in Cigarette Smoke, with and without Inhalation

Abstract

RECENTLY, Haagen-Smit¹ has referred to the relatively high content of oxides of nitrogen in smoke from cigarettes and cigars. It was found that the content of oxides of nitrogen in cigarette smoke varies from 145 to 655 p.p.m. Furthermore, after inhalation of the smoke into the lungs, no oxides of nitrogen could be detected in the exhaled smoke. In view of the very low maximum concentrations of oxides of nitrogen tolerated (Russian workers² claim 0.1 mgm./m.³ as an average concentration during 24 hr., and 0.3 mgm./m.³ as a maximum concentration at one time; for carbon monoxide these concentrations are 2 and 6 mgm./m.³ respectively) it was thought interesting to determine how much of these compounds may be taken up as a result of cigarette smoking.