Nicotine and Carbonyl Emissions From Popular Electronic Cigarette Products: Correlation to Liquid Composition and Design Characteristics

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the chemical characteristics and aerosol emissions of various electronic cigarette (ECIG) brands and types. It explores the relationship between ECIG design and e-liquid characteristics and the emissions of total particulate matter (TPM), nicotine, and carbonyls. The study aims to provide regulatory agencies with deeper insights on what is in the market in order to implement evidence-based regulations.

Key Points:

* The study analyzed 27 ECIG products from 10 brands, including disposable, prefilled cartridge, and tank-based ECIGs.
* E-liquid chemical characterization included PG/VG quantification, water content measurements, nicotine quantification and partitioning, and pH measurements.
* Aerosol characterization included masses of TPM collected from a vaping session of 15 puffs and nicotine yield quantification in aerosols.
* Nicotine yield was highly correlated with ECIG type, brand, flavor, power, nicotine concentration, pH, PG/VG ratio, and water content.
* Carbonyl emission into the gas phase was also assessed, with high-molecular weight carbonyls not detected in all samples.
* Multiple variable regression statistical analysis revealed that power, PG/VG ratio, ECIG brand, type, and flavor are major factors influencing TPM emissions, while nicotine yield is highly correlated with nicotine concentration, PG/VG ratio, ECIG type, brand, and flavor.
* Carbonyl yields were only correlated with power and ECIG brand, with overall model significance lower compared to nicotine and TPM yields.

Main Message:
The study emphasizes the importance of considering ECIG design and e-liquid characteristics when assessing emissions and potential health risks. It highlights the wide variability in nicotine yield and carbonyl emissions across different ECIG brands and types, suggesting that some ECIG devices emit nicotine quantities that exceed those of tobacco cigarettes. The text underlines the need for regulatory agencies to consider these factors when implementing evidence-based regulations to protect public health.

EL-Hellani, Ahmad, Rola Salman, Rachel El-Hage, Soha Talih, Nathalie Malek, Rima Baalbaki, Nareg Karaoghlanian, Rima Nakkash, Alan Shihadeh, and Najat A. Saliba. “Nicotine and Carbonyl Emissions From Popular Electronic Cigarette Products: Correlation to Liquid Composition and Design Characteristics.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2018, ntw280. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntw280.