draw a conclusion from Figure 1. illustrates how the number of points used to smooth the spectra affects the SNR in the 2200-2000 cm-1 range. As the noise decreases, the SNR increases as the number of points in the smoothing procedure also increase. As the average of the peak-to-peak fluctuations was reached, the noise level dropped. The absolute readings, which show that as the number of points in the smoothing operation increased, the minimum increased and the peak maximum decreased, also support this. Additionally, as the number of points used in the smoothing operation increased, the sample scans showed a decrease of spectral detail. The data displayed pertains to the spectral region between 2200 and 2000 cm-1; however, the general trend would remain the same for other regions as well. As the number of points in the smoothing procedure increased owing to a loss in the integrity of the original peak, a decrease in the SNR or at least a trade-off if the signal had been an actual peak and the goal quantitation would be expected