Summary
Introduction:
This text is a scientific report on an analysis of the flavor chemicals in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) refill fluids and the potential health effects of inhaling these chemicals. The study identifies and quantifies flavor chemicals in 39 commercial refill fluids, determines the transfer efficiency of these chemicals into aerosols, and examines the cytotoxicity of aerosols made from the refill fluids using human lung cells.
Key points:
* The study identified 12 dominant flavor chemicals in the refill fluids, including cinnamaldehyde, menthol, benzyl alcohol, vanillin, eugenol, p-anisaldehyde, ethyl cinnamate, maltol, ethyl maltol, triacetin, benzaldehyde, and menthone.
* Transfer of these flavor chemicals into aerosols made at 3V and 5V was found to be efficient, with a mean transfer of 98%.
* Over 50% of the refill fluids in the sample contained high concentrations of flavor chemicals that transferred efficiently to aerosols at concentrations that produce cytotoxicity.
* When tested with two types of human lung cells, aerosols made at 5V were generally more toxic than those made at 3V.
* The study also identified reaction products formed due to the aerosolization process.
* The authors suggest that these data will be valuable for consumers, physicians, public health officials, and regulatory agencies when discussing potential health concerns relating to flavor chemicals in e-cigarette products.
Main message:
This study highlights the potential health risks associated with the inhalation of flavor chemicals in e-cigarette refill fluids. The efficient transfer of these chemicals to aerosols and their cytotoxicity when inhaled suggest that further research and regulation is needed to ensure the safety of e-cigarette products. The authors suggest that their findings will be valuable for stakeholders in discussing potential health concerns and developing appropriate regulations.
Citation
Behar, Rachel Z, Yuhuan Wang, and Prue Talbot. “Comparing the Cytotoxicity of Electronic Cigarette Fluids, Aerosols and Solvents.” Tobacco Control 27, no. 3 (May 2018): 325–33. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053472.
