Rapid and sensitive method for the determination of propylene oxide in cigarette mainstream smoke by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A rapid method using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of propylene oxide in cigarette mainstream smoke is reported. Validation data show the method, which requires a minimum of sample preparation, to be selective, sensitive, reliable, and robust. Propylene oxide is found in the University of Kentucky Reference Cigarettes 1R4F and 2R4F at concentrations of 0.93 and 0.65 microg/cigarette, respectively, with a quantitation limit of 0.135 microg/cigarette.