Using- conditions approximating human smoking about 150 microgram of metallic constituents per cigarette were found in the mainstream smoke of five representative brands of cigarettes on the domestic market. Of this quantity approximately 90% was potassium and 5% sodium. The remaining metallic constituents, at least twelve in number, include traces of aluminum, arsenic, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, strontium, titanium and zinc. Vaporization of the more volatile compounds of the metals or of the volatile reduced metal itself appear to be the essential mechanisms of transfer from the cigarette to the smoke. Mechanical transfer by erosive or related processes probably accounts for less than one per cent of the transferred materials. The inference of these findings for other smoke components is discussed.

(Full article published with kind permission from "Tobacco International")