Ciliastatic components in the gas phase of cigarette smoke.

The gas phase of cigarette smoke, separated into its components by gas chromatography, was passed across a ciliated specimen. The acetaldehyde, acrolein, and hydrogen cyanide produced strong inhibition of the ciliary beat. A filter which removed most of the acetaldehyde and acrolein from smoke did not reduce the inhibitory effect of the gas phase of that smoke, whereas a filter that removed most of the hydrogen cyanide did reduce inhibition.