Treatment of tobacco and tobacco smoke with chelating agents to remove Pb-210 and Po-210

摘要

This invention relates to the treatment of tobacco and tobacco smoke with chelating agents to reduce the concentration of Pb-210 and Po-210. Chelating formulations such as the tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in aqueous solution with a wetting agent are sprayed onto the tobacco during growth and/or the chelating formulations are used to soak or wash the tobacco after harvest but before curing the tobacco. Pb-210, Po-210 and other metals are removed from tobacco smoke by applying chelating agents to the surface of the tobacco and/or the filter material.