The Health Risks of Electronic Cigarette Use to Bystanders

Introduction:
This article summarizes a study on the health risks of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use to bystanders. The study aimed to assess the exposure of bystanders to various chemicals present in e-cigarette vapor. The study design, major findings, and implications for regulatory policies are discussed.

Key Points:

* Seventeen volunteers participated in the study and exhaled breath samples were collected while vaping.
* Increased levels of nicotine, propylene glycol, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), and copper were found in the exhaled breath of the volunteers.
* Exposure to e-cigarette vapor was estimated for two scenarios: a non-ventilated car with two e-cigarette users and a ventilated office with one e-cigarette user.
* Bystanders may experience irritation of the respiratory tract due to exposure to propylene glycol and glycerol.
* Systemic effects of nicotine, including palpitations and increased systolic blood pressure, should be expected if nicotine-containing e-liquid is used.
* The presence of TSNAs in e-liquids can lead to an increased risk of tumors, which can be avoided by enforcing that e-liquids may not contain detectable amounts of TSNAs.
* Health risks to bystanders are relatively mild, but regulatory policies for vaping in public spaces should take these risks into consideration.
* Insufficient toxicological data is available for many common flavor ingredients, and long-term effects of e-cigarette use may only become apparent after several years.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential health risks of e-cigarette use to bystanders, particularly in terms of respiratory irritation, systemic effects of nicotine, and the presence of carcinogenic TSNAs in some e-liquids. Regulatory policies should consider these risks, particularly in public spaces. The study also underscores the need for more information on the toxicity of inhaled flavor compounds, as many of them are food additives with unknown effects when inhaled. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential health risks of e-cigarette use to bystanders and highlights the need for further research and regulation.

Visser, Wouter F., Walther N. Klerx, Hans W. J. M. Cremers, Ramon Ramlal, Paul L. Schwillens, and Reinskje Talhout. “The Health Risks of Electronic Cigarette Use to Bystanders.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 9 (April 30, 2019): 1525. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091525.