Determination of Vanadium in Cigarettes by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Abstract

In order to clarify the daily intake of vanadium, this element's levels in cigarettes were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In forty five different brands of cigarettes used, vanadium concentrations ranged from 0.49 to 5.33 μg/g, with a mean level of 1.83 μg/g. These were comparatively high levels compared with those in food which were below 0.79 μ g/g assayed by us. Approximately 30% of the vanadium contained in cigarette passed into the smoke. Thus dietary intake of vanadium must take smoking into account.

Key Words:

• Vanadium
• cigarette
• nickel
• smoking
• tar