For comparative purposes,the elements transfer in each
sample was estimated from the ratio of their mainstream
smoke yield to the elements level in the tobacco rod. Cadmium
transfer was clearly lower in the cigarettes with an
activated carbon filter compared to the other samples with
the same nicotine transfer. This was not observed in the
case of lead or arsenic. The effect was also observed under
the more intense HCI regime despite being less pronounced
than under the ISO regime. Test cigarettes with an 80-mg
carbon load smoked under HCI machine-smoking regime
showed a 62% retention of cadmium, while arsenic and lead
yields were unchanged.