- Author
- Harris, J.
- Title
- Overview and Major Considerations in the Toxicity Testing of Low Ignition-Potential Cigarettes.
- Coporate
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Report
- Volume 5, August 1993,
- Distribution
- Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207
- Keywords
- cigarettes | toxicity test methods | ignition | smoke | health hazards
- Identifiers
- epidemiology
- Abstract
- Both mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke are complex chemical mixtures. In view of this chemical complexity, it should be no surprise that cigarette smoke has multiple, diverse effects on human health. Nor should it be unexpected that multiple chemicals in cigarette smoke contribute to any single adverse health effect. The diverse human health consequences of cigarette smoking are briefly reviewed. Many experimental laboratory models have been developed to study the mechanisms of cigarette smoke-induced disease. These laboratory models are not always convertible into practical, standardized test systems that quantitatively compare one cigarette prototype with another. In view of the multiplicity of health effects and mechanisms of smoke-induced health damage, no single test or battery of tests can capture all possible health endpoints.