A rapid gas-chromatographic method for the determination of acetaldehyde in the vapour phase of cigarette smoke

Abstract

A simple and rapid procedure is described for the gas-chromatographic determination of acetaldehyde in the vapour phase of cigarette smoke. The acetaldehyde is efficiently extracted into cold water in Drechsel bottles and is determined by gas chromatography of an aliquot of the solution. Results are comparable with those obtained by more complicated techniques involving derivative formation or the direct injection of smoke samples into high-resolution columns. A relative standard deviation of ±3·4 per cent. was obtained in the absence of an internal standard. The method is particularly convenient for evaluating the effectiveness of cigarette filters in retaining acetaldehyde.