Size and Generation Rate of Sidestream Cigarette Smoke Particles

Sidestream cigarette smoke generated using an automatic smoking machine (SEM-II) and Kentucky 2R1 reference cigarettes was analyzed for particle generation rate and size distribution. Part of the sidestream smoke was sampled with an Andersen Cascade Impactor, following dilution with about 29 to 54 liters/min of laboratory air. The remaining sidestream smoke was further diluted 1,000-fold with vapor phase from filtered sidestream smoke before analysis with an Electrical Aerosol Analyzer and Condensation Nuclei Counter. The smoking parameters of primary dilution ratio and puff pressure were varied in the experiments. The number median diameter of sidestream cigarette smoke was about 0.10 μm, and the mass median diameter was typically 0.16 μm, about half the size of fresh mainstream smoke. Additionally, the size distribution of sidestream smoke was significantly broader than that of mainstream smoke. The particle generation rate of sidestream smoke depended on smoking conditions and varied from 1.4 × 10⁹ to 3.9 × 10⁹ particles/s. The equivalent total particulate matter of sidestream smoke based on the Electrical Aerosol Analyzer measurements varied from 1.3 to 2.3 mg/cigarette, whereas it was 6.0 to 9.6 mg/cigarette based on the Andersen Cascade determinations. Reasons for these differences are not definitive at this time.