[Particle size in the smoke produced by six different types of cigarette].
BACKGROUND
For several decades a more peripheral distribution of the broncho-pulmonary pathologies related to tobacco has been observed.


METHODS
The aim of this study is to examine whether changes in the particle size of cigarette smoke as the result of new manufacturing technologies could play a part in the observed epidemiologic changes through a more distal disposition of smoke particles in the airways. Using a smoking machine and a low pressure electrostatic impactor we measured the particle size of the smoke from six different types of cigarette, representing old and new manufacturing techniques. The effect of a filter was assessed by a size analyser measuring the electrical mobility of the particles.


RESULTS
The results show a difference in particle size between the primary smoke inhaled by the smoker, S1 (0.27 +/- 0.03 microm.) and the secondary smoke, S2 inhaled by passive smokers (0.09 +/- 0.01 microm). There is no difference in particle size between the 6 different types of cigarette. Filters dilute the smoke without altering particle size.


CONCLUSIONS
The recent alterations in the distribution of tobacco related pathologies cannot be explained by changes in particle size in cigarette smoke. The explanation has to sought elsewhere.
Becquemin
M H
MH
Service Central d'Explorations Fonctionnelles Respiratoires, Groupe hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière, APHP, Université Denis Diderot et UPRES 2397 Paris, France.
Bertholon
J F
JF
Attoui
M
M
Roy
F
F
Roy
M
M
Dautzenberg
B
B
D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D012906:Smoke / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism; D055672:Static Electricity; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D014026:Nicotiana
D052638:Particulate Matter; D012906:Smoke; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution