Exposure of active and passive smokers to aromatic amines present in tobacco smoke.

Aromatic amines, toxic agents causing methemoglobinemia and human carcinogens (2-naphtylamine, 2-toluidine), are present in mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) tobacco smoke. Because of this fact, active and passive smokers are exposed to them. The aim of this study was to assess exposure of active and passive smokers to aromatic amines present in tobacco smoke. Nine popular Polish cigarette brands were smoked by a smoking machine. Aromatic amines were absorbed in HCl solution and, after removing a part of matrices and alkalinizing, they were extracted with n-hexane and concentrated. Analysis by GC-FID, preceded with derivatization (with trifluoroacetic anhydride) and purification by SPE (Florisil columns), was performed. Total amounts of analyzed aromatic amines (aniline, 2-,3-,4-toluidine, 2-,3-,4-ethylaniline, 2,4-dimethylaniline) in SS varied from approximately 10 to approximately 30 mug/cigarette and were several times higher than in MS. Prognostic equation was used to calculate the theoretical concentration of aromatic amines in a model room (established number of smoked cigarettes, ventilation) and to calculate the theoretical dose of aromatic amines expired by active smokers. Results were compared with environmental standards.