The Toxicity of Tobacco Smoke Solutions to Proteus Vulgaris

Abstract The toxicity of various smoke solutions was evaluated by studying their effects on the growth rate of Proteus vulgaris. The particulate phase of smoke was shown to be inactive, a finding which was in agreement with the low toxicity observed with phenol and nicotine solutions. Tobacco smoke passed through recess filters containing either 25, 50, 75, 100 or 150 mg of carbon showed a progressive decrease in toxicity as the amount of carbon was increased. Pure compounds were evaluated in amounts similar to those found in tobacco smoke. Acetaldehyde exhibited low activity, cyanide ion moderate activity whilst acrolein was shown to be highly toxic. A rapid and reproducible bioassay method is described.